ABOUT
Che Guevara, born Ernesto Guevara de la Serna on June 14, 1928, in Rosario, Argentina, was a revolutionary, physician, author, and key figure in the Cuban Revolution. His nickname "Che" reflects his Argentine roots, as "Che" is a common Argentinian term for "friend." Best known for his role in transforming Cuba into a socialist state alongside Fidel Castro, Guevara became an icon of radicalism and a symbol of rebellion against oppression worldwide. His image, most famously captured in Alberto Korda's photograph, has since become emblematic of countercultural movements.
BEFORE FAME
Guevara's early life was marked by academic and athletic excellence. He began studying medicine at the University of Buenos Aires in 1948 and qualified as a physician in 1953. During his time at university, he embarked on two significant motorcycle journeys throughout Latin America. The first, an extensive tour with his friend Alberto Granado in 1952, exposed him to the widespread poverty, social injustices, and exploitation across the continent. These experiences ignited his revolutionary fervor and led him to believe that the only solution to Latin America's problems lay in armed struggle.
TRIVIA
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Guevara traveled 4500 kilometers (2800 miles) through South America on a decrepit motorbike, which he named "La Poderosa" ("The Mighty One").
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He was a compulsive diarist who kept meticulous records of his travels and thoughts, some of which were later published as "The Motorcycle Diaries."
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Despite his pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution, he was a native of Argentina.
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Guevara became a key architect of Cuba’s transformation and held various significant roles in the new government, including overseeing land reform and serving as the President of the National Bank of Cuba.
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He was executed in Bolivia on October 9, 1967, after being captured by the Bolivian army with the assistance of the CIA.
FAMILY LIFE
Che Guevara was born into a middle-class family of Spanish, Basque, and Irish descent. Despite battling severe asthma throughout his life, he developed a passion for rugby and other sports. He was the eldest of five children in his family. In 1955, he met and married Hilda Gadea, a Peruvian economist, with whom he had his first daughter, Hilda Beatriz Guevara Gadea. After their separation, Guevara married Aleida March, a fellow revolutionary, in 1959. Together, they had four children: Aleida, Camilo, Celia, and Ernesto.
ASSOCIATED WITH
Che Guevara is most famously associated with Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolutionary movement. Together with Castro and his brother, Raúl Castro, Guevara played an instrumental part in overthrowing the Batista regime in Cuba. He is also associated with other revolutionary movements in the Congo and Bolivia, where he attempted to ignite insurrection against imperialist forces. His legacy is controversial; he is hailed as a hero and a martyr by some for his dedication to anti-imperialist causes, while others denounce his methods as violent and authoritarian. Nonetheless, his impact on global politics and his status as a symbol of struggle and resistance remain indelible.
