(1901–73). A common soldier who became the dictator of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista ruled the island nation twice, from 1933 to 1944 and from 1952 to 1959. Overthrown by the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in 1959, Batista spent the rest of his life in exile.
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was born in Banes, Cuba, on Jan. 16, 1901, the son of poor farming parents. He joined the army in 1921 as a stenographer and rose to the rank of sergeant and built a large personal following. In September 1933 he organized the “sergeant’s revolt” that toppled a provisional regime. Batista became the most powerful man in Cuba and ruled the country, at first through associates. With the support of the army, the civil service, and organized labor, he was elected president in 1940. He created a strong and efficient government and expanded the educational system, initiated public works, and fostered economic growth. Forbidden by law from reelection in 1944, Batista traveled abroad in voluntary exile for four years.
Cuba saw a resurgence of corrupt government that helped Batista to return to power after another army revolt. However, this time he became notorious as a ruthless leader who jailed those who opposed him, controlled the press, used terrorist methods, and made fortunes for himself and those he favored. He fled to the Dominican Republic on Jan. 1, 1959, and later found permanent exile in Portugal. He died in Guadalmina, Spain, on Aug. 6, 1973. (See also Cuba.)