Tell me a bio of Fidel Castro.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary, politician, and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008. He was a key figure in the Cuban Revolution and one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

**Early Life and Education**

Fidel Castro was born in Birán, Cuba, to Ángel María Bautista Castro y Argiz and Lina Ruz González. He was the third of seven children, and his family was of Spanish descent. Castro's father was a wealthy sugarcane farmer, and the family lived a relatively comfortable life. Castro was educated at a Jesuit boarding school in Santiago de Cuba and later at the University of Havana, where he studied law.

**Revolutionary Career**

Castro's involvement in politics began in the 1940s, when he joined the Ortodoxo Party, a left-wing organization that opposed the corrupt and authoritarian government of Fulgencio Batista. In 1953, Castro led a group of revolutionaries in an armed attack on the Batista regime's military barracks in Santiago de Cuba, known as the Moncada Barracks. The attack failed, and Castro was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, he was released in 1955 after serving only two years.

In 1956, Castro traveled to Mexico, where he met Che Guevara, a Argentine Marxist revolutionary. Together, they formed the 26th of July Movement, a revolutionary organization that aimed to overthrow the Batista regime. In 1956, Castro and a group of 81 revolutionaries, including Guevara, sailed to Cuba on the yacht Granma, with the intention of starting a guerrilla war against the government.

**Cuban Revolution**

The Cuban Revolution began in 1956, and Castro's forces, known as the Fidelistas, waged a successful guerrilla war against the Batista regime. On January 1, 1959, Castro's forces entered Havana, and Batista fled the country. Castro became the Prime Minister of Cuba and began to implement socialist policies, including land reform, nationalization of industries, and establishment of a socialist government.

**Presidency and Later Life**

In 1976, Castro became the President of Cuba, a position he held until 2008. During his presidency, Castro implemented a range of policies, including the establishment of a socialist economy, the creation of a universal healthcare system, and the promotion of education and literacy. He also played a key role in international affairs, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

Castro's presidency was marked by controversy, including human rights abuses, censorship, and suppression of dissent. However, he also implemented policies that improved the lives of many Cubans, including the establishment of a free healthcare system and a high literacy rate.

**Achievements and Impact**

Fidel Castro's achievements and impact are numerous:

1. **Establishment of a socialist government**: Castro's revolution established a socialist government in Cuba, which became a model for other socialist movements around the world.
2. **Improvement of healthcare and education**: Castro's government implemented a universal healthcare system and promoted education, resulting in a significant improvement in the health and literacy rates of the Cuban population.
3. **Promotion of international cooperation**: Castro played a key role in promoting international cooperation, including the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of American States.
4. **Resistance to US imperialism**: Castro's government resisted US attempts to overthrow him, including the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the CIA's numerous assassination attempts.

**Legacy**

Fidel Castro's legacy is complex and contested. While he is remembered as a champion of socialism and a defender of Cuban independence, he is also criticized for his authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and suppression of dissent. Nevertheless, his impact on Cuban history and international affairs is undeniable, and he remains one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

Castro died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90, and was succeeded by his brother Raúl Castro as President of Cuba.
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary, politician, and former Prime Minister and President of Cuba. He was one of the most iconic and influential leaders of the 20th century, known for his socialist ideology, charismatic leadership, and enduring legacy in Cuba and beyond.

**Early Life and Education**

Fidel Castro was born in Birán, Cuba, to Ángel Castro, a wealthy sugar plantation owner, and Lina Ruz González. He was the third of seven children. Castro was educated at a private Catholic school in Santiago de Cuba and later at the University of Havana, where he studied law. During his university years, he became involved in student politics and was influenced by Marxist and socialist ideologies.

**Revolutionary Career**

In 1952, Castro joined the Partido Ortodoxo (Orthodox Party) and participated in a failed rebellion against the authoritarian government of Fulgencio Batista. After the rebellion, Castro traveled to Mexico, where he met Che Guevara and other future revolutionaries. In 1956, Castro, Guevara, and a group of about 80 rebels sailed back to Cuba on the yacht Granma, aiming to overthrow Batista's regime. The expedition was initially unsuccessful, but Castro and his followers regrouped and eventually established a guerrilla movement in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

**Cuban Revolution and Rise to Power**

In 1959, Castro's forces, along with other revolutionary groups, overthrew Batista's government, and Castro became the Prime Minister of Cuba. He implemented a series of radical reforms, including the nationalization of industries, land redistribution, and the establishment of a socialist economy. In 1961, Castro declared himself a Marxist-Leninist and formally aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union. He became President of Cuba in 1976, a position he held until 2008.

**Achievements and Impact**

Castro's presidency was marked by several significant achievements:

1. **Social Reforms**: He introduced a comprehensive social welfare system, including free healthcare, education, and social security, which significantly improved living standards for the Cuban people.
2. **Economic Development**: Cuba's economy experienced rapid growth and industrialization, becoming one of the most advanced in Latin America.
3. **International Relations**: Castro played a key role in international affairs, supporting left-wing movements and opposing Western imperialism. He was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
4. **Revolutionary Icon**: Castro became a global icon of revolution and socialism, inspiring movements and leaders worldwide.

**Controversies and Criticisms**

However, Castro's presidency was also marked by controversies and criticisms:

1. **Authoritarianism**: Castro's rule was often described as authoritarian, with limited freedom of speech, assembly, and the press.
2. **Human Rights Abuses**: His government was accused of human rights abuses, including imprisonment and executions of dissidents and opponents.
3. **Economic Isolation**: Cuba's socialist economy was isolated from the rest of the world, leading to economic stagnation and poverty.

**Later Life and Legacy**

In 2008, Castro transferred power to his brother Raúl Castro, citing health reasons. He died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90. Fidel Castro's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He remains a revered figure in Cuba and a symbol of resistance to imperialism worldwide. However, his authoritarian tendencies and human rights abuses have also been widely criticized.