Published on January 14, 2012 by Carol
Benito Juárez (1806–1872) born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872. He resisted the French occupation, overthrew the Empire, restored the Republic, and used liberal efforts to modernize the country.
Juárez was born in a small adobe home in the village of San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca on March 21, 1806, located in the mountain range now known as the “Sierra Juárez”. His parents, Marcelino Juárez and Brígida García, were peasants who both died of complications of diabetes when he was three years old. Shortly after, his grandparents died as well, and his uncle then raised him. He described his parents as “indios de la raza primitiva del país,” that is, “Indians of the original race of the country.” He worked in the corn fields and as a shepherd until the age of 12, when he walked to the city of Oaxaca de Juárez to attend school. At the time, he was illiterate and could not speak Spanish, only Zapotec.
In the city, where his sister worked as a cook, he took a job as a domestic servant for Antonio Maza. A lay Franciscan, Antonio Salanueva, was impressed with young Benito’s intelligence and thirst for learning, and arranged for his placement at the city’s seminary. In 1843 Benito married Margarita Maza.
Source: Wikipedia
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