Fidel Castro Turns 85

Aug. 13, 2011 -- Fidel Castro turns 85 . The Cuban revolutionary and politician held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then President from 1976 to 2008.



Castro grew up in Birán, in southeastern Cuba. His father owned a sugar plantation. Fidel went to private school and became politically radicalized at the University of Havana.



With his brother Raúl, who took over as president of Cuba in 2008, he led an unsuccessful uprising against the unpopular regime of Fulgencio Batista in 1953. Fidel was imprisoned, released, went into exile in Mexico, and returned to eventually overthrow the Batista government in 1959.






In 1959 and 1960, Castro made radical changes in Cuba which included nationalizing industry, collectivizing agriculture, and seizing American-owned business and farms. This is also when he alienated the United States by establishing strong ties with the Soviet Union.



In 1961, the U.S. sponsored Bay of Pigs Invasion failed to oust Castro. The CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles was defeated within three days.



Also In 1961, Castro met Dalia Soto del Valle. They had five children together and married in 1980.



Castro is notorious for his powerful, lengthy speeches. In fact, he holds the Guinness Book of Records for the longest speech delivered at the United Nations – 4 hours and 29 minutes on Sept. 29, 1986.



Photo credit: Getty Images

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