“Bolívar led a series of revolutionary wars that freed six nations from Spanish colonial rule.”

FEW historical figures loom as large in the story of Latin America as Simón Bolívar.

Known as El Libertador, Bolívar led a series of revolutionary campaigns that freed six nations from Spanish colonial rule in the early 19th century.

His military genius, relentless ambition, and sweeping vision of a united South America have cemented his place as one of history’s great leaders.

Bolívar’s life was marked by triumphs, tragedies, and controversies, making him a figure of endless intrigue.

Here are nine fascinating facts about this extraordinary man and his enduring legacy.

From Privilege to Revolution

Born into one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Caracas on July 24, 1783, Simón Bolívar enjoyed a privileged upbringing. His family’s wealth came from vast estates, gold and silver mines, and cocoa plantations. Bolívar’s father, Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponte, and mother, María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco, were part of the creole elite, descendants of Spanish colonists who wielded significant social and political power in colonial Venezuela.

Tragedy struck early in Bolívar’s life: his father died in 1786 when he was just two, and his mother passed away six years later, in 1792. The orphaned Bolívar was placed under the care of his maternal grandfather and later his uncle, Carlos Palacios, who assumed legal guardianship. However, Bolívar’s upbringing was marked by tension with his guardians, as he often clashed with their strict authority.

Bolívar found solace and inspiration in his tutor, Simón Rodríguez, an Enlightenment thinker who introduced him to the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and John Locke. Rodríguez became a father figure to Bolívar, instilling in him a love of liberty, equality, and revolutionary ideals. These teachings would later serve as the philosophical foundation for Bolívar’s quest to liberate South America from Spanish rule.

At the age of 16, Bolívar left Venezuela for Spain to pursue his education and further his social connections. While in Europe, he studied at institutions frequented by the Spanish elite, gaining exposure to the intellectual and cultural movements that shaped his political ideas.

A Student of Revolutions

Bolívar’s time abroad proved pivotal. While in France, Bolívar witnessed Napoleon Bonaparte crown himself emperor inside Notre Dame Cathedral in 1804. This spectacle of power and ambition inspired Bolívar but also deepened his disdain for tyranny, shaping his conviction that South America should break free from European domination. Bolívar swore an oath on Mount Aventine in Rome in 1805, vowing to dedicate his life to the liberation of his homeland.

Bolívar returned to Venezuela in 1807, just as revolutionary fervor was beginning to stir across Latin America. Discontent with Spain’s control had been fueled by the Peninsular War (1807–1814), during which Napoleon’s invasion of Spain weakened the Spanish Crown. This instability gave South American revolutionaries the opportunity to push for independence.

Bolívar joined the movement, inspired by earlier uprisings like Francisco de Miranda’s failed attempt to free Venezuela in 1806.

A Mastermind of Military Strategy

Bolívar’s military acumen was extraordinary. After aligning with other revolutionary leaders, he quickly rose to prominence. His liberation campaigns began in Venezuela, but early attempts to secure independence failed due to infighting and resistance from royalist forces loyal to Spain. Undeterred, Bolívar regrouped in New Granada (modern-day Colombia) and formed alliances that proved crucial to his success.

One of his most famous victories was the Battle of Boyacá on August 7, 1819. Fought near the town of Tunja in modern-day Colombia, this battle involved around 2,850 Patriot troops led by Bolívar and 2,670 Spanish royalists under Colonel José María Barreiro. Bolívar’s forces used a bold pincer movement to trap the Spanish on a narrow bridge, cutting off their escape. The Patriots suffered around 13 casualties, while the royalists lost approximately 100 soldiers killed and had 1,600 captured, including Barreiro himself. This decisive victory opened the road to Bogotá, securing independence for New Granada.

Other critical battles led by Bolívar include the Battle of Carabobo (1821), which sealed Venezuelan independence; the Battle of Pichincha (1822), liberating Ecuador; and the Battle of Junín (1824), a prelude to the final defeat of Spanish forces in Peru at the Battle of Ayacucho later that year.

In one of his more famous exploits, Bolívar marched an army over the Andes mountains—a feat often compared to Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps—to secured a decisive victory that paved the way for the liberation of Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru.

Bolívar’s military campaigns spanned over 10 years and covered 75,000 miles—more than three times the circumference of the Earth. He commanded around 100 battles, securing freedom for six nations: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. His diverse armies included freed slaves, indigenous warriors, and European mercenaries, united under his leadership.

Personal Life

Bolívar was known for his charm, wit, and a streak of romanticism. He married María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro in 1802, but she tragically died of yellow fever just months later. Bolívar never remarried but had passionate relationships, most notably with Manuela Sáenz, a revolutionary heroine who became his confidante and lover. Sáenz, known as the “Liberator’s Liberator,” famously saved Bolívar from an assassination attempt in 1828 and remained loyal to his cause.

 

Towards a United Continent: Gran Colombia

Bolívar’s dream of a united South America materialized briefly as Gran Colombia, a vast republic encompassing modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, and parts of Peru and Brazil. Bolívar believed that unity was essential to counter external threats and internal chaos. However, Gran Colombia was plagued by regional rivalries and political infighting. In 1830, it disintegrated, leaving Bolívar heartbroken. Despite its collapse, the dream of unity remains one of Bolívar’s most enduring ideals.

The Fall of a Hero

By the end of his life, Bolívar faced betrayal and political opposition. In 1830, exhausted and disillusioned, he resigned from power and planned to retire to Europe. However, Bolívar died on December 17, 1830, in Santa Marta, Colombia, likely from tuberculosis, though some theories suggest arsenic poisoning. His final words, “Those who serve the revolution plow the sea,” reflect his despair over the fragmented state of the independence movements and his unfulfilled dream of unity.

A Monumental Legacy

Bolívar’s influence endures across Latin America and beyond. Cities, schools, and even a country—Bolivia—bear his name. Bolívar’s legacy has been embraced by political leaders across the spectrum, who invoke his vision of justice and sovereignty. In 2012, his remains were exhumed to confirm his identity, underscoring the enduring fascination with his life and work.

Bolívar’s story has inspired books, films, and television shows. Gabriel García Márquez’s novel The General in His Labyrinth reimagines Bolívar’s final days, exploring his humanity and disillusionment. The biopic The Liberator (2013) dramatizes his revolutionary exploits, bringing his life to modern audiences. Bolívar’s iconic image continues to symbolize the ideals of freedom and resistance against oppression.