### Biography of Fidel Castro
#### 1. Early Life
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, a small town in eastern Cuba. He was the third of seven children born to his father, Ángel Castro y Argiz, a wealthy sugar plantation owner, and his mother, Lina Ruz González, who had been a maid to Ángel's first wife. Raised in a politically charged environment, Castro's early education was provided by private tutors, before he attended Jesuit schools, including Colegio Dolores in Santiago de Cuba and the prestigious Colegio Belén in Havana.
#### 2. Career
Castro's political inclinations were evident from his time at the University of Havana, where he studied law and immersed himself in the political culture of the time, engaging in activism and nationalist movements. His early political career was marked by his opposition to corruption and his deep involvement in revolutionary activities against the governments of Carlos Prío Socarrás and, later, Fulgencio Batista, who seized power in a 1952 coup.
After an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953, Castro was imprisoned, then released under an amnesty in 1955. He then traveled to Mexico, where he formed the 26th of July Movement with his brother
Raúl-Castro and the Argentine revolutionary
Che-Guevara. Returning to Cuba, they waged a guerrilla war against Batista's forces from their base in the Sierra Maestra mountains. This campaign, coupled with urban resistance, led to Batista's flight from Cuba on January 1, 1959.
As the head of Cuba's new government, Castro adopted socialist policies, nationalizing industries and implementing land and wealth redistribution programs. His alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War marked a significant period, notably evidenced during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Castro's leadership saw the transformation of Cuba into a one-party communist state, influencing global politics significantly during his tenure.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
- **Cuban Revolution**: Castro's leadership in the Cuban Revolution overthrew the Batista regime and established a communist state in the Western Hemisphere, a significant event during the Cold War era.
- **Education and Healthcare**: Under Castro, Cuba achieved one of the highest literacy rates worldwide and developed a healthcare system that is recognized globally for its efficiency and accessibility.
- **International Influence**: Castro was a prominent figure in international politics, promoting socialism and anti-imperialism. His support for revolutionary movements in Latin America and Africa, such as in Angola and Nicaragua, marked his global political impact.
#### 4. Personal Life
Castro's personal life was as complex as his political one. He was married twice, first to Mirta Díaz-Balart, with whom he had a son,
Fidelito-Castro. This marriage ended in divorce. His second wife, Dalia Soto del Valle, stayed out of the public eye, and they had five sons together. Castro's relationship with his children, his siblings, including his sister
Juanita-Castro who opposed his regime, and his numerous rumored relationships, kept him in the public and media spotlight.
Castro also had lifelong friendships and rivalries, notably with
Nikita-Khrushchev, the Soviet Premier, with whom he shared strategic and ideological ties during the Cold War.
Fidel Castro passed away on November 25, 2016, leaving behind a legacy that is both revered and controversial. His impact on Cuban and world history is undeniable, marked by both fervent support and stark opposition.