Carmela Arias y Díaz de Rábago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carmela Arias y Díaz de Rábago
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| Born |
Carmela Arias y Díaz
20 February 1920 A Coruña, Spain
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| Died | 27 October 2009 A Coruña, Spain
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| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Known for | First woman president of a bank in Spain |
| Spouse(s) | Pedro Barrié de la Maza y Pastor |
| Parents |
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Carmela Arias y Díaz de Rábago (born February 20, 1920 – died October 27, 2009) was an important Spanish banker. She made history in 1971 by becoming the first woman to lead a bank in Spain. She held this powerful position for 30 years! People also knew her as the Countess of Fenosa.
Carmela's Early Life
Carmela Arias was born in A Coruña, a city in Galicia, Spain. Her parents were Carmela Díaz de Rábago y Aguiar and Vicente Arias de la Maza. Her grandfather was Don Pedro de Agar y Bustillo, who was a regent (a person who rules when the king or queen cannot) of Spain. Carmela went to high school in Barcelona.
After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) ended, Carmela started studying architecture in Barcelona. However, she became very ill with a lung disease. This illness lasted for about 20 years. Luckily, she had surgery in Stockholm, Sweden in 1953 and finally got better.
Becoming a Leader
In December 1966, Carmela married Pedro Barrié de la Maza y Pastor. He was the Count of Fenosa and her father's cousin. When her husband passed away in 1971, Carmela inherited his title, becoming the Countess of Fenosa.
She also took over as the president of two big organizations: the Banco Pastor (a bank based in A Coruña) and the Pedro Barrié de la Maza Foundation. She had already been the vice president for both. Carmela led these organizations for three decades!
Carmela also served as an honorary president for the energy company Unión Fenosa. In 1992, she became a vice president and a member of the company's special committee. Just a month later, she helped create an important agreement. This agreement, between the Xunta de Galicia (the government of Galicia) and her bank, created a fund. This fund helped start big business projects in her home region of Galicia, Spain.
In 2001, Carmela decided to step down as president of Banco Pastor. She said it was because of her age. Her nephew took over, but Carmela remained a director and was named the bank's honorary president.
Carmela Arias passed away at her home in A Coruña on October 27, 2009. She was 89 years old. She did not have any children. In her will, she left almost all of her large personal wealth to the Pedro Barrié de la Maza Foundation. She only kept her family's houses.
Other Important Roles
Carmela Arias held several other important positions:
- President of the governing board for the Juana de Vega Board of Trustees.
- Honorary member of the World Organization for Preschool Education.
- Member of the Royal Board of Education.
Awards and Honors
Carmela Arias received many awards for her work and contributions:
- She was given an honorary doctorate degree by the University of La Coruña in 1991.
- The Castelao Medal from the Xunta de Galicia in 1989.
- Gold Badge of the Red Cross.
- Named "Galician of the Year" in 1996.
- Gold Medal from the University of Galicia in 1982.
- Gold Medal from the Royal Academy of Arts of San Fernando in 1989.
- Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Charity.
- Gold Medal of the Spanish Association for the Fight against Cancer.
- Gold Medal of the Chamber of Commerce of La Coruña.
- Gold Badge of the Albéniz Musical Group.
- Cross 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' (an award from the Pope).
See also
In Spanish: Carmela Arias y Díaz de Rábago para niños
