Maria Conceição

Maria Conceição (born May 23, 1977) is a Portuguese humanitarian, mountaineer, endurance athlete and motivational speaker. She is the founder of the Maria Cristina Foundation, which provides education and social support to children from slum communities in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Conceição is the first Portuguese woman to climb Mount Everest and K2 (2024), and the first Portuguese person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam.

Early life Conceição grew up in Portugal in a disadvantaged background, losing her mother at a young age. She later worked as a flight attendant for the airline Emirates, where in 2005 she visited Dhaka and was moved by the poverty she witnessed. This led her to establish the Maria Cristina Foundation. 2024 – Summited Carstensz Pyramid and completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam.

Guinness World Records Among her many athletic achievements Conceição has officially set 10 Guinness World Records. Fastest time to complete an ultramarathon on each continent (female) – 2014 Fastest aggregate time to run an ultramarathon on each continent (female) – 2014 Most consecutive days running an ultramarathon by a female (7 days) – 2014 Fastest aggregate time to run a marathon and ultramarathon on each continent (female) – 2015 Fastest time to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents (female) – 2015 Fastest time to run a marathon and ultramarathon on each continent (female) – 2015 Fastest time to complete an Ironman triathlon on six continents (female) – 2017 Most Ironman races completed in one year (female) – 2017 Fastest time to complete an Ironman 140.6 triathlon and Ironman 70.3 triathlon (female) – 2022 Farthest simulated distance climbed on a ladder machine in one hour (female), 1.59 km – 2023

Speaking and publications Conceição is a motivational speaker at international conferences, including events by Harvard Alumni, Mindvalley, and John C. Maxwell. Butterfly Stories (Volumes 1 & 2). Maria Conceição. 2023. ISBN 978-1035038244. Altered Path. Maria Conceição. 2023. ISBN 978-1035038251. The World Needs Superheroes. Maria Conceição. 2024. ISBN 978-9948349020.

Awards and recognition 2007 – Most Exceptional and Innovative European Woman of the Year 2009 – Emirates Humanitarian Woman of the Year 2010 – Alhan Hot 100 Entrepreneur in UAE; Most Inspiring Women of the GCC by Kraft 2012 – Special Mention for Child Welfare by Petrochem; Most Inspiring Women of the GCC by Kraft 2013 – Sustainability Leadership Award 2014 – Inspiring Change Award (International Gulf Organization); Runner-up Humanitarian Woman of the Year (Inspiring Women Belgium); Louvor Nobre Casa da Cidadania 2015 – Cidadão Nobre Portugal; Cosmopolitan Female Role Model 2016 – GQ Portugal Woman of the Year 2017 – Barbie Inspiring Women Role Model Award (Portugal) 2018 – Women of Substance Award (Dubai Women Run) 2021 – Mulher Inspiradora (Running Category), Revista Activa 2025 – Daughters of the Desert Award (Sports Excellence and Humanitarian Impact); GlobalWIIN Special Recognition Award, London