Luis Muñoz Marín

Luis Muñoz Marín

Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín (February 18, 1898 – April 30, 1980), known as Luis Muñoz Marín, was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico.

Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader. Following the death of his father, he began writing poetry, eventually publishing two books. After a brief involvement with the Socialist Party, he began developing an ideology based on independence.

In 1932, Muñoz Marín joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Puerto Rico and ran a successful bid for senator. In 1937, he was expelled from the Liberal Party and created a group known as Acción Social Independentista. One year later, he took part in the foundation of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico. This party won a majority in the Senate of Puerto Rico, with Muñoz Marín serving as its president. In 1947, the United States Congress passed legislation that allowed Puerto Rico to elect its own governor. Consequently, Muñoz Marín ran a successful campaign for the position, taking office on January 2, 1949.

He worked with the U.S. Congress towards the creation of a Constitution, which was a key element to change the status of Puerto Rico to Estado Libre Asociado or "commonwealth". Muñoz Marín was re-elected three times, serving a total of sixteen years as Governor, all of them representing the Popular Democratic Party. In 1962, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1970, Muñoz Marín retired from politics, spending his later life as a traveler. On April 30, 1980, he died due to health complications. Muñoz Marín's funeral gathered attention throughout Puerto Rico, being attended by thousands of followers.