Vasco da Gama (1469-1524) was born in Sines, a Portuguese city in the Alentejo region, likely in the year 1469. He was the illegitimate son of the navigator Estevão da Gama, married to Dona Maria Isabel Sodré.
Living with his family near the port of Algarves, Vasco da Gama spent his childhood in an environment of sailors and voyages. In 1481, 
when D. João II ascended to the throne, he reopened the discovery activity. By the age of 18, Vasco da Gama was already initiated in the art of navigation, having crossed the Mediterranean and visited the city of Tangier, conquered by the Portuguese. As a sailor, he was tasked with policing the Portuguese ports on the African coast and defending them against pirate ships.
With the death of Estevão da Gama, D. João decided to appoint Vasco da Gama to command the planned expedition to the Indies. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias reached the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. In 1495, D. João II died in Lisbon, but D. Manuel, his successor, continued the work.
On July 8, 1497, the Portuguese began the great expedition. Four caravels set sail from Lisbon: “São Gabriel,” commanded by Vasco da Gama, “São Rafael,” commanded by Paulo da Gama, Vasco’s brother, “Berrio,” entrusted to Nicolau Coelho, and another with provisions and ammunition commanded by Gonçalo Nunes. In total, there were 160 crew members under the overall command of the navigator.
Vasco da Gama, at just 28 years old.
During the expedition, new lands were discovered and trading posts were established. The new trade route provided direct access to the riches of the East, breaking the monopoly of the Arabs and Venetians. In September 1499, shortly after his return, he received the titles of count and admiral.
In 1502, Vasco da Gama undertook a second voyage to India. The Portuguese power in the region was firmly established for a long time. Near the end of his life, D. João III appointed him viceroy of the Indies, but he could not maintain Portuguese supremacy in the East. Vasco da Gama passed away in Cochin, India, on December 24, 1524.
Source: www.ebiografia.com, By Dilva Frazão