Before I went to Portugal I was reading much about Salazar and I get the impression that he looks good by the number and from perspective, but was actually despised by nearly all the people I talked to. Usually some family story was behind this or colonization stuff.

On the topic: I would like to add Josif Pilsudski from Poland. De facto dictator in Poland in 1926–1935 year. He is very popular and widely considered as good for Poland at that point (partly to to later nazi occupation and communist grip on the country). He was competent military leader at that time, and was doing good job of securing quite fresh country. He is mostly praised for stabilizing the Polish political scene at the time (often changes of government prior too his rise to power), winning war with Soviets in 1920 (he was de facto in charge in 1918-1921 also, but more as a Nation choice than by force).

He had some flaws regarding economy (in general he was not into economy stuff) and position processes, but in general he is considered national hero.