The Somoza family was an influential political dynasty who ruled Nicaragua as a family dictatorship from 1936 to 1979. Although they only held the presidency for 30 of those 43 years, they were the power behind the other presidents of the time through their control of the National Guard. Their regime was overthrown by the Sandinista National Liberation Front during the Nicaraguan Revolution. Three of the Somozas served as President of Nicaragua. They were:
- Anastasio Somoza García (1896–1956; ruled 1937–1947, 1950–1956), the father.
- Luis Somoza Debayle (1922–1967, ruled 1956–1963), his legitimate eldest son.
- Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925–1980, ruled 1967–1972, 1974–1979), his second legitimate son.
Other members of the Somoza family include:
- Hope Portocarrero, wife of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
- Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, son of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
- Bernabé Somoza, a 19th-century rebel
Famous quotes containing the word family:
“The intent of matrimony, is not for man and wife to be always taken up with each other, but jointly to discharge the duties of civil society, to govern their family with prudence, and educate their children with discretion.”
—Anonymous, U.S. women’s magazine contributor. Weekly Visitor or Ladies Miscellany (June 1807)