You likely know Simón Bolívar as the George Washington of South America. However, this wealthy aristocrat turned revolutionary lived a life full of dramatic romance, bloody warfare, and tragic betrayal. He liberated six nations from Spanish rule, yet he died in poverty and exile, despised by many of the people he freed. Furthermore, his legacy involves a legendary white horse, a lover who fought by his side, and a dream of a united continent that ultimately fell apart. Prepare to ride alongside the Liberator through these surprising insights.
Simon Bolívar
His full name was incredibly long and complex. Officially, he was baptized as Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios. Consequently, historians and friends simply referred to him as The Liberator.
Surprisingly, a country is named directly after him. Upper Peru changed its name to Bolivia in 1825 to honor his contribution to its independence. Thus, he remains one of the few individuals in history to have a sovereign nation bear his name.
Simon Bolívar actually lost respect for Napoleon Bonaparte. Although he admired the Frenchman’s military genius, he felt betrayed when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor. Therefore, he refused to attend the coronation ceremony in Paris as a protest against tyranny.
A woman saved his life during an assassination attempt. Manuela Sáenz, his lover, confronted the assassins at the door while he escaped through a window. Gratefully, he gave her the title “Libertadora del Libertador,” or Liberator of the Liberator.
Tragically, Simon Bolívar died wearing a borrowed shirt. Although he was born into immense wealth, he spent his entire fortune on the wars for independence. By the time he died, he was so poor that his doctor had to provide a shirt for his burial.
He issued a brutal decree called the War to the Death. He ordered his army to kill any Spaniard who did not actively support the independence movement. Consequently, this policy led to the execution of countless prisoners and civilians during the conflict.
Physically, he was a very small man. He stood only about five feet six inches tall and had a very slender build. Nevertheless, he projected immense authority and commanded the respect of tough soldiers and generals.
He rode a famous white horse named Palomo. According to legend, an old woman gifted him the horse after dreaming that he would liberate her country. Faithfully, the animal carried him thousands of miles across the rugged Andes mountains.
Politically, he tried to create a superstate called Gran Colombia. He united modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama into one massive nation. Unfortunately, internal fighting and regional rivalries caused the union to collapse shortly before his death.
Unusually, he had a locket containing George Washington’s hair. The family of the American president sent the gift to him as a token of admiration. He cherished this item because he viewed Washington as a fellow fighter for freedom.
His remains were exhumed on live television in 2010. The Venezuelan government dug up his skeleton to determine if enemies had poisoned him. However, the tests were inconclusive, and most historians still believe tuberculosis killed him.
Simon Bolívar fought in over 400 battles during his career. Unlike generals who commanded from the rear, he frequently led charges on the front lines. As a result, he risked his life constantly for nearly two decades of warfare.
Curiously, he swore a sacred oath on a hill in Rome. As a young man, he stood on Monte Sacro and vowed not to rest until he broke the chains of Spanish oppression. Remarkably, he kept that dramatic promise for the rest of his life.
Venezuelan currency is named after him. The Bolivar Fuerte serves as the official money of his homeland. Thus, citizens handle his name and image every single day when they buy goods.
Finally, statues of him exist in almost every town in Venezuela. You can find a Plaza Bolívar in nearly every city center across the country. These squares usually feature a statue of the hero on his horse, facing the nation he freed.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
This AI-assisted post was rigorously curated and fact-checked for accuracy by:
