Rómulo Betancourt
Rómulo Betancourt | |
|---|---|
| President of Venezuela | |
| In office 13 February 1959 – 13 March 1964 | |
| Preceded by | Edgar Sanabria |
| Succeeded by | Raúl Leoni |
| In office 19 October 1945 – 17 February 1948 | |
| Preceded by | Isaías Medina Angarita |
| Succeeded by | Rómulo Gallegos |
| Senator for life | |
| In office 14 March 1964 – 28 September 1981 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rómulo Ernesto Betancourt Bello 22 February 1908 Guatire, Miranda state, Venezuela |
| Died | 28 September 1981 (aged 73) New York City, United States |
| Resting place | East Cemetery (Venezuela) |
| Political party | Democratic Action |
| Spouse(s) |
Carmen Valverde (divorced)Renée Hartmann Viso |
| Children | Virginia Betancourt |
| Alma mater | Central University of Venezuela |
| Signature | |
Rómulo Ernesto Betancourt Bello (22 February 1908 – 28 September 1981; Spanish pronunciation: [ˈromulo βetaŋˈkuɾ]), known as "The Father of Venezuelan Democracy", was a Venezuelan politician who served as the president of Venezuela, from 1945 to 1948 and again from 1959 to 1964, as well as leader of the Democratic Action, Venezuela's dominant political party in the 20th century.
Betancourt, one of Venezuela's most important political figures, led a tumultuous career in Latin American politics. Periods of exile brought Betancourt in contact with various Latin American countries as well as the United States, securing his legacy as one of the most prominent international leaders to emerge from 20th-century Latin America. Scholars credit Betancourt as the Founding Father of modern democratic Venezuela.