Carlos Menem

Carlos Saúl Menem (born July 2, 1930) was President of Argentina from July 8, 1989 to December 10, 1999 for the Justicialist Party (Peronist).

Background

He was born into the Muslim family of Saúl Menem and Mohibe Akil, Syrian immigrants in the small town of Anillaco, in the Argentine province of La Rioja. He was trained as a lawyer at the University of Córdoba and became a supporter of Juan Perón. Menem campaigned for political prisoners and was arrested in 1957 for supporting violent action against the dictatorship of Aramburu.

Related Topics:
Syria - Argentine - La Rioja - Córdoba - Juan Perón - 1957 - Aramburu

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Notwithstanding his conversion to Catholicism, his ties with his parents' homeland remained strong. In 1964, he travelled to Syria where he met Zulema Fátima Yoma, another Syrian-Argentinean, whom he married in 1966. He was also a president of the Syrian-Lebanese Association of La Rioja.

Related Topics:
Catholicism - 1964 - 1966

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During his presidency, his son Carlos Saúl Facundo Menem Yoma died in a flying accident. Even though it was declared an accident, many still believe it was an assassination. After divorcing Zulema Yoma, his first wife, Menem's remaining daughter Zulema María Eva Menem fulfilled the role of First Lady at formal occasions. In May 2001, he married Chilean model Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), who is 35 years younger.

Related Topics:
First Lady - 2001 - Chile - Cecilia Bolocco - Miss Universe - 1987

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