Fidel Castro was the Cuban revolutionary and political leader who ruled Cuba for almost 50 years.

Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro was the Cuban revolutionary and political leader who ruled Cuba for almost 50 years.

Quick facts:

Born: August 13, 1926 in Biran, Cuba

Died: November 25, 2016 in Havana, Cuba

He came from a wealthy farming family but became a lawyer and then a revolutionary.

What he is known for:

In 1953 he led an attack on the Moncada Barracks. It failed and he went to prison, but that made him famous. 

In 1956 he returned from Mexico with Che Guevara and about 80 other fighters. They started a guerrilla war in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

In 1959 they overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista and Castro became Prime Minister of Cuba.

After the revolution:

He turned Cuba into a one-party socialist state and allied with the Soviet Union. 

He nationalized industries, focused on healthcare and education, and Cuba achieved very high literacy and doctor rates.

The US put an embargo on Cuba in 1960, which still affects the country today.

He survived many assassination attempts and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis happened during his rule.

He stepped down in 2008 because of health issues and gave power to his brother Raul Castro.

People see him very differently. 

Some see him as a defender of independence and social programs. 

Others see him as an authoritarian who limited political freedom.

He and Che were close during the revolution. That is why you often see their photos together.