Enrique Peña Nieto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Enrique Peña Nieto
Official portrait, 2012
64th President of Mexico
In office 1 December 2012 – 30 November 2018
Preceded by	Felipe Calderón
Succeeded by	Andrés Manuel López Obrador
President pro tempore of the Pacific Alliance
In office 20 June 2014 – 3 July 2015
Preceded by	Juan Manuel Santos
Succeeded by	Ollanta Humala
Governor of the State of Mexico
In office 16 September 2005 – 15 September 2011
Preceded by	Arturo Montiel Rojas
Succeeded by	Eruviel Ávila Villegas
Member of the Congress of the State of Mexico from the 13th district
In office 5 September 2003 – 14 January 2005
Preceded by	Arturo Osornio Sánchez
Succeeded by	Jesús Alcántara Núñez
Secretary of Administration of the State of Mexico
In office 11 May 2000 – 4 December 2002
Governor	Arturo Montiel Rojas
Preceded by	Ernesto Nemer Álvarez
Succeeded by	Luis Miranda Nava
Personal details
Born	Enrique Peña Nieto (1966-07-20) 20 July 1966 (age 58) Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, Mexico
Political party	Institutional Revolutionary Party
Spouses	Mónica Pretelini ​ ​ (m. 1993; died 2007)​ Angélica Rivera ​ ​ (m. 2010; div. 2019)​
Children	4
Parents	Gilberto Enrique Peña del Mazo María Socorro Nieto Sánchez
Education	Panamerican University (LLB) Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (MBA)
Signature

Enrique Peña Nieto (born 20 July 1966) is a Mexican politician. He served as the 64th president of Mexico from 2012 to 2018. Before becoming president, he was the Governor of the State of Mexico from 2005 to 2011. He is a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Peña Nieto was born in Atlacomulco and grew up in Toluca. He studied law at Panamerican University and later earned a master's degree in business from ITESM. He joined the PRI in 1984 and began his political career. As governor, he made many promises to improve his state. As president, he worked to improve Mexico's economy and make government more open. He also introduced reforms in education and the energy sector.

Early Life and Education

Enrique Peña Nieto was born on 20 July 1966 in Atlacomulco, State of Mexico. This city is about 55 miles (88 km) northwest of Mexico City. He is the oldest of four children. His father, Gilberto Enrique Peña del Mazo, was an electrical engineer. His mother, María del Perpetuo Socorro Ofelia Nieto Sánchez, was a schoolteacher.

When he was 11, his family moved to Toluca. In 1979, he spent a year in Alfred, Maine, to learn English. When he was 15, he helped deliver campaign materials for his relative, Alfredo del Mazo González. This experience sparked his interest in politics.

In 1984, at age 18, Peña Nieto moved to Mexico City. He studied law at the Panamerican University. He later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM).

Political Beginnings

Peña Nieto in 2012

Enrique Peña Nieto joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1984. While still in college, he worked for a public notary in Mexico City. He also worked at an auto parts company and a law firm. He became friends with Luis Miranda, who later held several government positions.

Peña Nieto's political career grew under the guidance of Arturo Montiel Rojas. He held various secretary positions in the State of Mexico. From 1993 to 1998, he was chief of staff and personal secretary to Montiel Rojas. In 2001, he became Sub-secretary of Interior in the State of Mexico. This role helped him meet important politicians and business leaders.

Campaign for Governor

In 2003, Peña Nieto was elected as a local deputy in his hometown of Atlacomulco. In 2005, he ran for governor of the State of Mexico. He was sworn in as the PRI candidate on 12 February 2005, with 15,000 supporters present. He succeeded Arturo Montiel Rojas as governor.

Governor of the State of Mexico (2005–2011)

Peña Nieto at the World Economic Forum (2010)

On 15 September 2005, Peña Nieto became the governor of the State of Mexico. His main goal as governor was to fulfill his "compromisos" (commitments). These were 608 promises he signed in front of a notary. He wanted to show voters he would deliver results.

During his time as governor, many projects were completed. These included building highways, hospitals, and improving water systems. Highway infrastructure tripled under his government. Major public transportation projects like the Suburban Railway of the Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Area and the "Mexibús" were built. These helped over 300,000 people daily.

In public health, 196 hospitals and medical centers were built. The number of mobile medical units also doubled. Deaths from respiratory diseases, dysentery, and cervical cancer were reduced. The state also met the World Health Organization's goal of having one doctor for every 1,000 people. Funds for these projects came from restructuring the state's public debt. This strategy helped keep the debt from growing.

Presidential Campaign

Peña Nieto campaigning in 2012

On 23 November 2011, Peña Nieto presented his book, México, la gran esperanza (Mexico, the great hope). In his book, he wrote that Mexico needed to grow its economy to create more jobs. He also suggested that Pemex, Mexico's state-owned oil company, should compete in the private sector. He believed this would create more jobs and help distribute wealth.

On 27 November 2011, Peña Nieto became the PRI's official candidate for the 2012 Mexican presidential elections. Another candidate, Manlio Fabio Beltrones, withdrew from the race, clearing Peña Nieto's path. His campaign was supported by the "Commitment to Mexico" alliance.

Elections

Celebration of the electoral victory of Enrique Peña Nieto as president of the republic.

The Mexican presidential election took place on 1 July 2012. The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) announced that Peña Nieto was leading with 38% of the votes. Shortly after, Peña Nieto declared victory on national television. He thanked his voters and promised a responsible government. With most votes counted, the PRI won with about 38% of the votes.

Presidency (2012–2018)

Lunch with heads of State México, D.F. 1 December 2012.

Enrique Peña Nieto was sworn in as President of Mexico on 1 December 2012. During his inauguration speech, he shared his plans and reforms for the country. The day after his inauguration, Peña Nieto announced the Pact for Mexico. This was an agreement with leaders of other major parties. It aimed to set government goals for the coming years. On 1 December 2018, Peña Nieto left office. Andrés Manuel López Obrador became the new president.

Economic Policy

Peña Nieto and Takanobu Ito at the inauguration of the Honda plant in Celaya, Guanajuato on 21 February 2014.

During Peña Nieto's presidency, the auto manufacturing industry grew quickly. In 2014, over US$10 billion was invested in this sector. For example, Kia Motors planned a US$1 billion factory in Nuevo León. Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, BMW, and Audi also built or planned large plants in Mexico. By December 2014, total investment in the auto sector reached US$19 billion. The Bajío Region received most of this investment and became the fastest-growing area.

According to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), over two million jobs were created in Mexico between December 2012 and June 2016. Many of these jobs were long-term. This led to a 26% increase in revenue for IMSS.

Special Economic Zones

President Enrique Peña Nieto, President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sign the USMCA agreement during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 30 November 2018.

In May 2016, Peña Nieto signed a law to create special economic zones. These zones are in poorer southern states. The first three were in Lázaro Cárdenas, Port Chiapas, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. These zones aim to bring more industry to the South.

Peña Nieto explained that two out of three people in extreme poverty in Mexico live in the southern states. These states receive much less foreign investment than the North. The special economic zones offer tax incentives, trade benefits, and simpler rules. They also plan for more infrastructure spending. The goal is for these zones to attract businesses and create jobs by 2018.

Domestic Policy

Peña Nieto introduced a public education reform. This reform aimed to improve education standards and change how teachers were hired and promoted. It also sought to reduce corruption.

Security Policy

President Enrique Peña Nieto and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Claudia Ruiz Massieu visit the monument to the 201st Fighter Squadron in Manila, November 2015.

During his campaign, Peña Nieto promised to lower the crime rate in Mexico by 50%. He appointed a former general from Colombia's National Police as his advisor. He also said he would not allow armed United States agents in Mexico. However, he considered letting the U.S. help train Mexico's military.

President Enrique Peña Nieto, accompanied by Cabinet members, holds a press conference in the Palacio Nacional announcing the capture of Joaquín Guzmán.

On 13 December 2012, new security reforms were approved. Mexico's Interior Ministry became responsible for public security. Part of Peña Nieto's plan was to create a national police force called a "gendarmerie". This force would have 10,000 members. The Interior Ministry also formed 15 special police units to focus on major crimes like kidnapping.

Energy Policy

NAFTA leaders U.S. President Barack Obama, Mexican President Peña Nieto, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, 2014.

Peña Nieto promised to allow private investment in Pemex, Mexico's state-owned oil company. He also showed interest in working with Petrobras, Brazil's oil company. His proposal aimed to allow private companies to invest in oil exploration and development.

Changing Pemex was a big challenge because the Mexican constitution limited outside investments. Pemex was created in 1938 and is a symbol of national identity. Peña Nieto believed that updating Pemex was very important for Mexico's future.

Foreign Policy

2016 Visit by Donald Trump

Peña Nieto meets with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 Hamburg summit, July 2017.

Peña Nieto at the Élysée Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron, 2017

Visit to Israel for the State Funeral of Shimon Peres

Peña Nieto invited U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump to visit Mexico on 31 August 2016. They held a press conference together. Peña Nieto later stated on Twitter that he made it clear to Trump that Mexico would not pay for a border wall.

Trump's Presidency and Border Wall

Peña Nieto and Trump were scheduled to meet on 26 January 2017. However, Trump tweeted that if Mexico would not pay for the wall, it would be better to cancel the meeting. This led Peña Nieto to cancel his visit to the U.S. president.

Personal Life

Family Life

Peña Nieto with family in Atlacomulco on the 2012 election day.

In 1993, Peña Nieto married Mónica Pretelini (1965–2007). They had three children: Paulina, Alejandro, and Nicole. Mónica Pretelini passed away on 11 January 2007.

In 2008, Peña Nieto began a relationship with actress Angélica Rivera. They married in November 2010. After his presidency ended, Rivera announced their divorce in February 2019. Peña Nieto later dated Mexican model Tania Ruiz Eichelmann. They lived together in Madrid and announced their breakup in January 2023.

Peña Nieto is the cousin of Alfredo del Mazo Maza. Alfredo del Mazo Maza served as governor of the State of Mexico from 2017 to 2023. Peña Nieto's grandfather, father, and distant uncle Arturo Montiel also served as governors of the State of Mexico.

Ancestry

Honors

Pope Francis and President Enrique Peña Nieto, accompanied by First Lady Angélica Rivera, held a meeting in the premises of the Presidential hangar following the Pope's arrival in Mexico.

National Honors

• : Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle (1° December 2012)

Foreign Honors

Emir of Qatar in the Mexican Palacio Nacional

• National Order of Juan Mora Fernández, Grand Cross with Gold Plaque, awarded by Laura Chinchilla on 19 February 2013.
• National Order of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross, awarded by Francois Hollande on 10 April 2014.
• Order of Prince Henry, Grand Collar, awarded by Aníbal Cavaco Silva on 2 June 2014.
• Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross with Collar, awarded by King Juan Carlos I of Spain on 6 June 2014.
• Order of the Sun of Peru, Grand Cross with Diamonds, awarded by Ollanta Humala on 17 July 2014.
• Order of the Bath, Honorary Knight Grand Cross, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on 3 March 2015.
• Order of the Quetzal, Grand Collar, awarded by Otto Pérez Molina on 13 March 2015.
• Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Collar, awarded by Dilma Rousseff on 26 May 2015.
• Order of Charles III, Grand Cross with Collar, awarded by King Felipe VI of Spain on 20 June 2015.
• Order of the White Rose of Finland, Grand Cross with Collar on 2015.
• Order of Merit, Grand Collar, awarded by Michelle Bachelet on 13 August 2015.
• Order of King Abdulaziz, Collar, awarded by King Salman of Saudi Arabia on 17 January 2016.
• Order of Mubarak the Great, Collar, awarded by Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on 20 January 2016.
• Order of the Elephant, Knight, awarded by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on 13 April 2016.
• Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Cross with Cordon, awarded by Sergio Mattarella on 21 July 2016.
• Order of the Liberator General San Martín, Grand Collar, awarded by Mauricio Macri on 29 July 2016.
• Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, Grand Collar awarded by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on 17 July 2017.
• Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on 9 February 2018.

See also

In Spanish: Enrique Peña Nieto para niños

• 2015 Mexican legislative election
• 2012 Mexican general election
• 2005 State of Mexico election
• Peñabot