Date of Birth: August 10, 1951
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Biography
Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, born on August 10, 1951, in Bogotá, Colombia, is a distinguished Colombian politician and journalist who served as the 32nd President of Colombia from 2010 to 2018. He is a member of the influential Santos family, which has played a significant role in Colombian politics and media for generations. Santos studied economics and business administration at the University of Kansas, followed by a master’s degree in economics, economic development, and public administration from the London School of Economics and Harvard University. Before entering politics, Santos had an illustrious career in journalism, serving as deputy publisher of the influential newspaper El Tiempo, which his family owned. His political career began in earnest when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade under President César Gaviria in the early 1990s. He went on to hold various key positions, including Minister of Finance and Public Credit and Minister of Defense, where he played a crucial role in the fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Santos’ presidency is marked by his efforts to bring peace to Colombia after decades of conflict. His most notable achievement was the signing of a peace agreement with the FARC in 2016, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His tenure also focused on economic modernization and social reforms, although it faced challenges such as corruption and opposition from various political factions.
5 Interesting Facts about Juan Manuel Santos
1. Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for his efforts to end the Colombian conflict with the FARC.
2. He comes from a prominent family; his great-uncle Eduardo Santos was President of Colombia from 1938 to 1942.
3. Santos served as Colombia’s Minister of Defense from 2006 to 2009, during which he led significant military operations against the FARC.
4. He is an author and has written several books on Colombian politics and economics.
5. Santos is a founding member of the Good Government Foundation, an NGO focused on promoting good governance in Colombia.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Juan Manuel Santos
1. “Peace is a process, not an event.”
2. “The best peace is the one that is achieved without violence.”
3. “We must understand that peace is not just a dream, but a right.”
4. “True reconciliation is not about forgiving and forgetting, but about building a future together.”
5. “In a world where conflicts are pervasive, peace must be our most ardent pursuit.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Juan Manuel Santos’ highest net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Juan Manuel Santos and his wife, María Clemencia Rodríguez Múnera, have three children: Martín, María Antonia, and Esteban Santos Rodríguez.
Relevant Links
2. [Juan Manuel Santos – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Juan-Manuel-Santos
3. [Juan Manuel Santos – BBC Profile](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-11414281
