Carlos Menem Biography

Carlos Menem was born on July 2, 1930, in Anillaco, Argentina to Syrian immigrants Saúl Menem and Mohibe Akil.

He completed his preliminary education at Li Rioja in Argentina. He later pursued studies in law and graduated from the University of Cordoba in 1955. While studying at the university, he got the opportunity to meet President Juan Perón. He got influenced by his ideologies and became a Peronist.

In 1973, he was elected as governor of La Rioja province but was soon dismissed from office in the 1976 Argentine coup d'état by a military council. He was accused of corruption and maintaining links with guerillas. He was imprisoned and subsequently released in 1978, with a warning to stay outside his home town. He was kept under house arrest until 1981.

As President, he took decisions contrary to traditional Peronist policies and decided to follow the Washington Consensus thereby reducing expenditure than money earned by the state, and opening opportunities for free trade. He also initiated the privatization of state enterprises like the telephones and the airline industry. These steps proved helpful in stabilizing the economy to an extent.

The ‘Olivos pact’ was signed between him and leader of opposition party, giving him the right to revise the constitution of 1853, and allow a President to serve for two consecutive terms with a reduced term of 4 years. These actions attracted significant criticism.

In 1995, he was re-elected as President and during his second term as President, he focused on improving International relations. His trip to Britain in 1998, was much talked about as it was the first trip of an Argentinean leader to Britain since 1982.

During these years, the Peronist party was plagued by internal conflicts and corruption charges. At the end of his tenure, he was succeeded by Fernando de la Rúa.

In 2001, he was held under house arrest following charges of his involvement in arms- smuggling. However, he was freed five months later. The following year, the uncertainty and confusion in Argentina’s social, political and economic conditions forced Fernando de la Rúa to resign. Carlos Menem made an entry into politics soon after and attempted to regain his position as President.

In December 2015, he was additionally convicted of fraud and punished with imprisonment for four and half years along with huge fine. His term as senator ended in 2017.

He married Zulema Fátima Yoma in 1966, and the couple had two children, a son named Carlos Saúl Facundo Menem Yoma and a daughter named Zulema María Eva Menem. The couple separated after 25 years of marriage in 1991. His son died in a helicopter accident in 1995.

He had an extramarital relationship with Martha Meza, a deputy from Formosa province and they had a son, Carlos Nair Menem born in 1981.

On 26 May 2001, he married actress and former Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco. The couple had a son, Máximo Saúl Menem Bolocco. However, they separated soon after and were officially divorced in 2011.

Carlos Menem died on February 14, 2021, from complications of urinary tract infection, at the Sanatorio Los Arcos in Buenos Aires. He was 90.
 

Carlos Menem was known for his love of sports cars and was often seen driving around in a Ferrari during his time as president of Argentina.

Menem was the first Muslim president in the history of Latin America, a fact that highlighted the diversity of Argentina's population.

He was also a published author, having written several books on politics and his life experiences.

Menem was a skilled musician and was known to play the guitar during public events, showcasing his artistic side.

Despite his controversial political career, Menem was praised for his efforts in promoting economic growth and modernization in Argentina during his presidency.