International Women in Portugal - Member Highlights 2026

Christine Zacharatos Coyard

(by Tess Robeson February 2026)

“Being a mother is very important to me.”

The first thing one notices about Christine Zacharatos Coyard is her lovely, winsome smile. She radiates a quiet charm. Not surprisingly, friends describe her as one who is “sooo nice.”

Born to Greek parents, Christine grew up in Toronto. She visited her grandparents in Greece from time to time. “I come from a loving family.”

Christine completed a degree in International Relations and Affairs, with a minor in French, at the University of Toronto. She worked as a Parliamentary Assistant in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. During this time she was a member of the National Communications Committee of UNICEF Canada, promoting UNICEF activities and raising funds.

Christine later moved to Paris, France, and took a master’s degree in History/International Relations at the University of Paris-Sorbonne. She also obtained a diploma in French Language and Civilisation.

In 1993 she married her French boyfriend in Paris. “I met him in Canada, but we wed in France,” said Christine. One day her husband suggested to her, “Why don’t you teach English?” Christine went to night school, enrolled in a Teaching of English as a Foreign Language course. She taught English to French students at a business school and a secondary school. “I created a course in Canadian culture and literature and taught that in English.”

In 1998 her husband’s work took them to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was there that Christine’s dream of being a mother was fulfilled. “We had been trying to have a child in France,” she shared, “but it didn’t work out. We decided to adopt.” The adoption process was remarkably faster in Brazil than in France. “The day we signed the adoption papers, we were told a baby boy was ready for us to take home!” She took it all in stride. “I felt incredibly Zen about being a mother.” A year later Christine and her husband adopted another child, a girl. “The children completely changed our lives!” she gushed. “They are a blessing.”

After five years, the Coyard family moved back to Paris. Christine sent her children to Portuguese school there. “As they are Brazilians, I wanted them to learn their native Portuguese.”

Three years later the Coyards were back in Brazil. “With a friend, I set up and managed a travel agency,” said Christine. “We focused on specialized tours for individuals and small groups. I was proud of my work. We didn’t just offer sightseeing tours. We once organized a tour where students from Switzerland played football with local students.”

Christine volunteered in the local communities, helping alleviate poverty in the favelas. She distributed food and presents at Christmas and raised funds for the local daycare.

Christine’s husband’s job next took the family to London, where they stayed for eight years. Two years in Dubai followed. In August 2020, Christine and her husband moved to Portugal. “Life has taken me on an incredible journey!” said Christine. “Flexibility has allowed me to keep reinventing myself.”

Through all the moves, Christine has remained unruffled. She attributes this to having been brought up Canadian. “Canadians are adaptable, diplomatic, and easygoing.”

These days Christine spends her time on fitness activities, bridge with IWP, and creative endeavours. “I’ve always been passionate about art,” said Christine. She paints on canvas, azulejos, and other surfaces, and works on mosaics and sculpture.

Some of Christine’s paintings hang in her children’s apartments. Her son, now 26 years old, lives in France, while her daughter, 25, is in the UK. “Being a mother is very important to me,” said Christine. “I’m very proud of the adults our children have become.”

Hilde Lundevall Arnet

(by Tess Robeson January 2026)

“My attitude in life is to make the best of it, wherever I am.”

“Being in nature is comforting,” said Hilde Lundevall Arnet. Hilde, who was born just outside Oslo, Norway, grew up in the countryside and lived an outdoorsy life. Hilde remembers her childhood fondly. “We would go skiing after school.” Hilde is the oldest of three siblings. “Our father bought a log cabin up in the mountains, and our family would go fishing, hiking, and berry picking. The love for nature stays with you throughout your life.”

After high school Hilde spent a year in Paris, studying art history, sociology, and the French language. She continued her studies at The University of Oslo. At 22 she married her boyfriend whom she had met in Paris when she was 19.

Hilde’s husband, a mechanical engineer who was working for an oil company, relocated to Aberdeen, Scotland, on account of his work. Hilde enrolled at the University of Aberdeen. After two years the couple returned to Norway, where Hilde completed a degree in economics in Bergen, Norway’s second largest city.

Hilde worked in human resources in Bergen. Later the couple, now with three children, decided to move to Arendal, on the southern coast of Norway. The Arnets were there for 10 years. Hilde served as the first president of the local Soroptimist Club, a global volunteer organization that empowers women and girls through education and training.

Hilde’s husband’s work then took them to Singapore, where they stayed for 15 years. “I was a member of the Friends of the Museums there,” said Hilde. “I took a docent course and became a docent.” She enjoyed showing visitors the National Museum.

Hilde did philanthropic work in Singapore as a board member of the Norway House, a private aid initiative that benefitted children in Cambodia. “We supported an orphanage,” said Hilde. “We not only raised funds; we went to Cambodia to make sure things were being managed well.” She travelled there four times a year for 10 years.

In 2011 Hilde and her husband attended a wedding at the Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel in Cascais. Thereafter, Portugal was on their radar as a place in which to settle. In 2016 the Arnets bought a condo project in Cascais, which was completed in 2020. With Covid and its complexities at the time, the Arnets moved to their new home in 2022. “I find Portugal and the people here welcoming and warm,” said Hilde. “It’s easy to be a foreigner in Cascais.”

Hilde joined IWP the same year. “I’m so impressed with IWP and all the interesting, hardworking, and resourceful women. It’s well-organized – so many events and activities. And we give back to the community.” For Hilde joining IWP is a great way to meet people with the same interests. She has participated in walks, tours discovering Lisbon, bridge (she’s a “big fan”), and ballet outings.

On a typical day, Hilde likes to walk her dog on the beach at Guincho. She takes classes in Portuguese. She enjoys reading historical fiction, biographies, and histories and knitting for her five small grandchildren.

“My attitude in life is to make the best of it, wherever I am,” reflected Hilde, “and to always be curious, positive, and adaptable. When settling down in a new country, it is important to learn, integrate, and adapt. Get involved in one’s community.”

“We’re very privileged to live in this part of the world,” said Hilde. “It’s safe. Being here is a blessing.”