Alejandro María Aguado, 1st Marquess of Marismas del Guadalquivir facts for kids
Alejandro María Aguado (born June 29, 1784, in Sevilla, Spain – died April 14, 1842, in Gijon, Spain) was a very successful Spanish banker. He was also known as the 1st Marquess of Marismas del Guadalquivir.
He came from a family in Seville, a city in southern Spain.
Contents
A Young Soldier's Life
Alejandro Aguado started his career as a soldier. He fought bravely in the Spanish War of Independence. This war was fought against the French. Later, he even joined the French side under Joseph Bonaparte.
After a big battle called the Battle of Bailén in 1808, he became part of the French army. He rose through the ranks quickly. He became a colonel and an important helper, called an aide-de-camp, to a famous French general named Marshal Soult.
From Exile to Banking Success
In 1815, after the wars, Alejandro Aguado had to leave Spain. He moved to Paris, France. There, he started a business as an agent, helping people buy and sell things.
Thanks to his family's connections in places like Havana and Mexico, he quickly became wealthy. This allowed him to start a new career as a banker.
Helping Spain with Money
The Spanish government trusted him a lot. They gave him the important job of arranging loans for Spain. These loans helped the country with its finances. He successfully managed loans in 1823, 1828, 1830, and 1831.
Because of his great help, King Ferdinand VII of Spain honored him. He gave Aguado the special title of Marquess of Marismas del Guadalquivir. He also received awards and valuable rights to mines in Spain. Aguado even helped Greece get a loan in 1834.
Becoming a French Citizen
In 1828, Alejandro Aguado bought large properties in France. One of these was the famous Château Margaux, known for its excellent wine. He then became a French citizen.
He passed away in Spain on April 14, 1842. He left behind a huge fortune, estimated to be about 60 million French francs. He also had a wonderful collection of paintings, which were sold after his death.
See Also
In Spanish: Alejandro María Aguado para niños
