Mario Cuomo

Date of Birth: June 15, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: January 1, 2015

Biography

Mario Matthew Cuomo was an influential American politician and lawyer who served as the 52nd Governor of New York for three terms from 1983 to 1994. Born to Italian immigrant parents, Cuomo’s early life was marked by modesty and hard work, which deeply influenced his political philosophy. He graduated from St. John’s University and later earned his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Cuomo began his political career as the Secretary of State of New York from 1975 to 1979 and served as the Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 before being elected as Governor. Cuomo was known for his eloquent speeches, particularly his keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, which catapulted him to national prominence. Despite significant pressure and speculation, he declined to run for the presidency multiple times. His tenure as governor was marked by efforts to balance the state budget, improve education, and support social justice initiatives. After his time as governor, Cuomo returned to practicing law and remained a respected voice in political discourse until his passing.

5 Interesting Facts about Mario Cuomo

1. Mario Cuomo was known for his powerful oratory skills and delivered a famous keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, which earned him national recognition.

2. Despite being a popular figure within the Democratic Party, Cuomo chose not to run for President in the 1988 and 1992 elections, often citing his gubernatorial responsibilities.

3. Cuomo was a staunch opponent of the death penalty, vetoing legislation to reinstate it in New York multiple times during his tenure as governor.

4. He authored several books, including “Reason to Believe” and “More Than Words,” which reflect his political and personal philosophy.

5. Mario Cuomo was the father of Andrew Cuomo, who also served as the Governor of New York, and Chris Cuomo, a well-known television journalist.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mario Cuomo

1. “We must get the American public to look past the glitter, beyond the showmanship, to the reality, the hard substance of things.”

2. “I protect my skin with religion. I wear a St. Joseph medal and a Miraculous medal, and I say, ‘Hey, it can’t hurt.’”

3. “I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.”

4. “You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.”

5. “Every time I’ve done something that doesn’t feel right, it’s ended up not being right.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mario Cuomo’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the peak of his career.

Children

Mario Cuomo had five children with his wife, Matilda Cuomo. Their children are: 1. Margaret I. Cuomo – a radiologist and author. 2. Andrew Cuomo – the 56th Governor of New York from 2011 to 2021. 3. Maria Cuomo Cole – a film producer. 4. Madeline Cuomo – an attorney specializing in matrimonial law. 5. Chris Cuomo – a television journalist, best known for his work with CNN.