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Politician. Born in Madrid, Spain as Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo y Bustelo. By birth he was the 1st Marquess of Ría de Ribadeo who became the 74th President of the Government of Spain. Elected as President on February 23, 1981, to preside over the transition from the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco to democracy, his start was held in abeyance for 17 hours when a group of right-wing Civil Guards broke into Parliament, fired shot into the ceiling and held lawmakers captive. After a broadcast by King Juan Carlos comdemned the coup attempt, the guards left and Parliament was able to set a date for general elections and on December 1, 1982, Felipe Gonzalez, a Socialist, succeed Sotelo. A centrist politician, Sotelo is best known for his political decision to lead Spain into NATO which it eventually joined in 1985. Died of heart failure at his home in Madrid.
Politician. Born in Madrid, Spain as Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo y Bustelo. By birth he was the 1st Marquess of Ría de Ribadeo who became the 74th President of the Government of Spain. Elected as President on February 23, 1981, to preside over the transition from the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco to democracy, his start was held in abeyance for 17 hours when a group of right-wing Civil Guards broke into Parliament, fired shot into the ceiling and held lawmakers captive. After a broadcast by King Juan Carlos comdemned the coup attempt, the guards left and Parliament was able to set a date for general elections and on December 1, 1982, Felipe Gonzalez, a Socialist, succeed Sotelo. A centrist politician, Sotelo is best known for his political decision to lead Spain into NATO which it eventually joined in 1985. Died of heart failure at his home in Madrid.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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