Pablo Neruda

Date of Birth: July 12, 1904

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 23, 1973

Biography

Pablo Neruda, born Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He was born in the small town of Parral, Chile, and grew up in Temuco, where he wrote his first poems. Neruda began his literary career under the pseudonym Pablo Neruda, which he adopted in memory of the Czech poet Jan Neruda. His early works, notably “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair” (1924), gained him significant recognition. Neruda’s poetry is known for its diversity, ranging from erotically charged love poems to politically driven works, such as his “Canto General” (1950), an epic poem that details the history and culture of Latin America. Throughout his life, Neruda was deeply involved in politics. He served as a senator for the Chilean Communist Party, and his outspoken political views often led him into conflict with the authorities, resulting in periods of exile. Despite his political controversies, Neruda’s work continued to garner admiration worldwide. His later years were marked by his ambassadorship to France and his continued literary production. Pablo Neruda passed away on September 23, 1973, in Santiago, Chile, under circumstances that have been the subject of much speculation, with some suggesting he was poisoned.

5 Interesting Facts about Pablo Neruda

1. Pablo Neruda wrote his first poem at the age of 10.

2. His book “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair” is one of the best-selling poetry books in history.

3. Neruda served as a diplomatic consul in several countries, including Burma, Argentina, and Mexico.

4. He was a close friend and advisor to Chile’s socialist president, Salvador Allende.

5. Neruda’s house in Isla Negra, Chile, is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pablo Neruda

1. “I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.”

2. “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”

3. “Love is so short, forgetting is so long.”

4. “I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.”

5. “Someday, somewhere – anywhere, unfailingly, you’ll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Pablo Neruda achieved is not well-documented, as his wealth was primarily in the form of his literary legacy and influence. However, his works have sold millions of copies worldwide, contributing significantly to his posthumous fame and the value of his estate.