Bebe Rebozo facts for kids
Charles Gregory "Bebe" (pronounced BEE-bee) Rebozo (born November 17, 1912 – died May 8, 1998) was an American banker and businessman from Florida. He was a close friend and trusted advisor to President Richard Nixon.
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Early Life and Businesses
Bebe Rebozo was the youngest of 12 children. His family were immigrants from Cuba who settled in Tampa, Florida. His nickname "Bebe" means "Baby" in Spanish.
Before starting his own bank, Rebozo owned several businesses in Florida. These included a gas station and a group of laundromats. In 1964, he opened his own bank, the Key Biscayne Bank & Trust, in Key Biscayne, Florida. Rebozo often attended the Key Biscayne Community Church. Sometimes, President Nixon would join him there.
Friendship with President Richard Nixon
Rebozo first met Richard Nixon in 1950. At the time, Nixon was a U.S. Representative. They were introduced by Florida Representative George Smathers. Smathers had suggested Key Biscayne as a good vacation spot for Nixon. Nixon later bought a home there, which journalists called the "Winter White House".
While Nixon was on vacation, Smathers arranged for Rebozo to take Nixon deep sea fishing. This fishing trip started a friendship that lasted for 44 years. Rebozo quickly became Nixon's best friend. He also became Nixon's advisor on money and property matters. In 1968, Rebozo changed his political party from Democratic to Republican.
Rebozo was with Nixon during important times. He said they were swimming together in June 1972 when Nixon first heard about the Watergate Hotel break-in. Rebozo was also with President Nixon on the night Nixon decided to resign from the presidency.
Rebozo's Influence on Park Service
Rebozo also influenced some of Nixon's decisions. For example, he encouraged Nixon to fire George Hartzog, who was the director of the National Park Service (NPS). This happened because Rebozo received a ticket from a park ranger. He had tied his boat illegally at a dock in Biscayne National Park.
Nixon fired Hartzog in December 1972. This happened even though Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton tried to convince Nixon not to. Nixon chose to replace Hartzog with Ron Walker. Walker was Nixon's head of travel arrangements. Some people felt Walker was not qualified for the job. He even admitted he didn't know the difference between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts.
Experts have noted Rebozo's influence on this decision. Former National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis believes Rebozo's actions indirectly led to a more political way of running the Parks program. This means that NPS directors are now often expected to resign when a new president is elected.
Personal Life
After graduating from Miami High School in 1930, Rebozo married his high school sweetheart, Claire Gunn. They were both 18 years old. Their first marriage was ended three years later. In 1946, they remarried, but they divorced again four years later. He later married Jane Lucke, who was still alive when he passed away.
Death
Bebe Rebozo died on May 8, 1998. He passed away due to problems from a brain aneurysm.
