Fidel Castro biography, children, alive, speech, quotes, facts

<< Back

Edit Mode: Fidel Castro

Email *

If we need to contact you, we will contact you on this email.

Full Name *

Your name please so that we can credit your work.

Main Text *

<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>
<p><a href="/biography/fidel-castro">Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz</a> was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, Holguín Province, Cuba, to a family of Spanish origin. His <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Castro_y_Argiz">father</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Castro_y_Argiz">Ángel Castro y Argiz</a>, was a successful <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Castro_y_Argiz">sugarcane farmer</a> who had immigrated from northern Spain, while his mother, Lina Ruz González, had previously worked as a household servant before becoming <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Castro_y_Argiz">Ángel</a>’s second wife. Fidel was <a href="/biography/fidel-castro">one</a> of seven children from this union.</p>
<p>Castro was sent away from home at an early age to study, initially living with his teacher in Santiago de Cuba. Due to behavioral issues, he was later transferred to a boarding school. In 1945, he graduated from El Colegio de Belén in Havana, a prestigious Jesuit high school. Though not considered an exceptionally strong student academically, Castro showed an early interest in history and politics and excelled in athletics.</p>

<h2>University and Political Awakening</h2>
<p>After completing high school, Castro enrolled at the University of Havana in 1945 to study law. It was during this time that he became deeply involved in student activism. His political consciousness grew rapidly, and he organized a student-led group opposing U.S. influence in Cuba. His charisma, assertiveness, and outspoken nature earned him the presidency of the Federation of University Students.</p>
<p>Castro became increasingly critical of the corruption and inefficiency within <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramón_Grau">President</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramón_Grau">Ramón Grau</a>'s government. In 1947, he joined the Party of the Cuban People (Partido Ortodoxo), a populist party that stood against government corruption and U.S. interference. This affiliation marked a significant turning point in his revolutionary journey.</p>

<h2>The Cuban Revolution and Guerrilla Warfare</h2>
<p>Castro’s revolutionary activities escalated in the 1950s, culminating in his leadership of the 26th of July Movement against Cuban <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista">President</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista">Fulgencio Batista</a>. Alongside key allies, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara">Che Guevara</a>, he led a guerrilla campaign that began in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Over more than a decade, Castro and his followers honed their skills in guerrilla warfare, including ambush tactics, sabotage, and survival strategies using local resources.</p>
<p>In 1959, their efforts succeeded in overthrowing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista">Batista</a>’s regime, which marked the start of a new government under Castro's leadership. He initially assumed the role of Prime Minister (1959–1976), later becoming President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers in 1976. During this period, Cuba was declared a one-party socialist state, and the country adopted Marxist-Leninist principles under the tutelage of the Communist Party of Cuba, of which Castro became First Secretary in 1961.</p>

[page-break]

<h2>Leadership of a Socialist Cuba</h2>
<p>Under Fidel Castro's leadership, Cuba implemented sweeping reforms, nationalizing major industries and instituting widespread land redistribution. Though his policies attracted both admiration and criticism globally, Castro remained a resolute defender of socialism and anti-imperialism. His administration forged close ties with the Soviet Union, enabling economic and military support, particularly during the Cold War era.</p>
<p>Despite facing economic hardships, including a U.S.-imposed trade embargo, Cuba under Castro made notable gains in fields such as education and healthcare. However, critics often pointed to limitations on political freedoms and suppression of dissent during his rule.</p>

<h2>Legacy and Death</h2>
<p>Fidel Castro's role in reshaping Cuba and challenging U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere made him one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century. Celebrated by some as a champion of socialism and sovereignty and condemned by others for his authoritarian governance, his legacy remains complex and deeply consequential.</p>
<p>Contrary to some reports, Fidel Castro did not pass away in 2008. He died on November 25, 2016, in Havana, Cuba, at the age of 90. His death was marked by large public gatherings and expressions of mourning throughout the country. Castro continues to be remembered for his influence on Cuban history and global revolutionary movements.</p>

Source *

Source you received the information from. eg. personal experiences, acquaintances, web-links, etc

Comment *

Briefly describe the changes you made.

Warning! All fields are required. Empty fields won't allow the form to be submitted and your changes will be lost.
Once the changes are submitted they cannot be edited again until your submission is reviewed.