José Antonio Páez 1790 – 1873

Biography

José Antonio Páez was born on June 13, 1790, in the Captaincy General of Venezuela, during the final years of Spanish colonial rule. He emerged as a significant political and military figure in South American history, eventually serving as president of Venezuela. His life spanned the turbulent era of Latin American independence movements and nation-building that defined the early nineteenth century.

Páez played a formative role in shaping Venezuela’s political identity during a transformative period. His leadership and influence extended across decades of the young nation’s development. He witnessed and participated in the dramatic changes that swept across the continent as colonial powers retreated and new republics took form.

He spent his final years in New York City, where he passed away on May 6, 1873, at an advanced age. His remains were returned to his homeland and interred at the National Pantheon in Caracas, Venezuela—a final resting place reserved for the nation’s most honored citizens. This honor reflected the enduring significance of his contributions to Venezuela’s history and independence.