Luis Carrero Blanco facts for kids

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Carrero and the second or maternal family name is Blanco.

Quick facts for kids The Most Excellent Admiral-General Luis Carrero Blanco


Prime Minister of Spain
In office 9 June 1973 – 20 December 1973
Leader	Francisco Franco
Deputy	Torcuato Fernández-Miranda
Preceded by	Francisco Franco
Succeeded by	Torcuato Fernández-Miranda (acting)
Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
In office 22 September 1967 – 9 June 1973
Leader	Francisco Franco
Preceded by	Agustín Muñoz Grandes
Succeeded by	Torcuato Fernández-Miranda
Undersecretary of the Presidency
In office 5 May 1941 – 9 June 1973
Nominated by	Francisco Franco
Preceded by	Valentín Galarza Morante
Succeeded by	José María Gamazo
Member of the Cortes Españolas
In office 16 March 1943 – 24 March 1946
Nominated by	Francisco Franco

Personal details
Born	Luis Carrero Blanco (1904-03-04)4 March 1904 Santoña, Spain
Died	20 December 1973(1973-12-20) (aged 69) Madrid, Spain
Cause of death	Assassination by explosive device
Resting place	Mingorrubio Cemetery, El Pardo, Madrid
Spouse	María del Carmen Lozana Abeo (m. 1946)
Children	5
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Spain (1918–1973) Nationalist faction (1936–1939)
Branch/service	Spanish Navy
Years of service	1918–1973
Rank	Admiral
Battles/wars	Rif War Spanish Civil War

Admiral-General Luis Carrero Blanco (born March 4, 1904 – died December 20, 1973) was a Spanish Navy officer and an important politician. He was a close friend and trusted helper of the leader Francisco Franco. Carrero Blanco served as Spain's Premier and held many other high-ranking jobs in the government led by Franco. He was killed in a car bombing in December 1973.

After finishing naval academy, Carrero Blanco took part in the Rif War. Later, he fought in the Spanish Civil War, supporting the side known as the Rebel faction. He became one of the most important people in the government of Franco's Spain. Throughout his career, he held many top positions. These included being the Undersecretary of the Presidency from 1941 to 1967. He also served as Franco's deputy from 1967 to 1973. He helped write the 1947 Law of Succession to the Headship of the State, which decided how Spain would be led after Franco. Franco chose him to be the next head of government, and Carrero Blanco became Prime Minister in June 1973.

Just a few months after becoming Prime Minister, Carrero Blanco was killed in Madrid. This happened on December 20, 1973, when a bomb exploded near his car. He was on his way back from church. The attack was carried out by a group called Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), which was a Basque nationalist group.

Life of Luis Carrero Blanco
His Death
- Funeral and Burial
His Writings
Images for kids
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Life of Luis Carrero Blanco

Early Years and Education

Luis Carrero Blanco was born on March 4, 1904. His hometown was Santoña, a coastal town in Spain. His father, Camilo Carrero Gutiérrez, was an army officer. His mother was Ángeles Blanco Abascal.

Luis went to school in Santoña. In 1918, when he was 14, he joined the Spanish Naval Academy. This continued his family's tradition of military service. The academy was in San Fernando, Cádiz.

By the age of 18, he became a lieutenant. He served on a large warship called the Alfonso XIII. From 1924 to 1926, he took part in the Rif War. In 1926, he chose to specialize in submarine warfare. He served on submarines like the B-2 and B-5.

In 1929, he married María del Carmen Pichot y Villa. They had five children together.

Role in the Civil War

When the Spanish Civil War began, Carrero Blanco was a naval instructor. He taught about submarine tactics in Madrid. Because he held conservative views, he knew he might be in danger. His brother had already been arrested and killed. His father also died on the day he was arrested.

Like many who supported the Nationalists, he found safety first in the Mexican embassy. Later, he moved to the French embassy. From there, he was able to cross into France. In June 1937, he re-entered Spain on the side of the Nationalists.

Carrero Blanco then served in the Nationalist navy. He was a captain on the destroyer Huesca. Later, he commanded the submarine General Sanjurjo. After the Nationalist side won the war, Generalísimo Franco became the leader of Spain. In August 1939, Carrero Blanco was made Chief of Naval Operations.

His Political Career

Carrero at the Gando Airport, Gran Canaria (1947).

In May 1941, Franco appointed Carrero Blanco as the Under-Secretary of the Presidency of the Government. He was 37 years old at the time. Carrero Blanco was very loyal to Franco. He helped Franco make important decisions. For example, after an event in 1942, Carrero advised Franco to remove Ramón Serrano Suñer from his government roles.

Carrero Blanco was promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1963. He became a full Admiral in 1966. From 1967 to 1973, he served as Deputy Prime Minister. By this time, Franco was getting older and often ill. He started to let Carrero Blanco manage the daily running of the government. Carrero Blanco was very good at this. He made sure Franco's policies were followed and directed the different government departments.

In 1969, Juan Carlos of Bourbon was named as Franco's heir to lead the country. Many believed that a strong monarchy, guided by Carrero Blanco, would keep Franco's system going even after Franco was gone. Franco himself said that "all is tied down and well tied down" (está atado y bien atado), meaning his plans for the future were secure.

Carrero Blanco reached the highest point of his political career on June 8, 1973. Franco officially appointed him as Prime Minister. This was part of a plan to separate the roles of head of government and head of state.

His Death

Memorial plaque at the place of the assassination of Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco.

Six months after becoming Prime Minister, Luis Carrero Blanco was killed. This happened on December 20, 1973, in Madrid. Four members of an ETA group carried out a bombing. It happened near San Francisco de Borja Church on Calle de Serrano. Carrero Blanco was returning from his daily church service in his car, a Dodge 3700.

After his death, Carlos Arias Navarro became the new Prime Minister. In his first speech on February 12, 1974, Arias Navarro promised some reforms. These included allowing political groups to form. Even though some people disagreed, this marked the beginning of changes in Spain.

Funeral and Burial

Carrero Blanco's funeral was held the day after his death. It took place at the Basilica of Saint Francis the Great in Madrid. This was one of Franco's last public appearances. Carrero Blanco was buried at Mingorrubio Cemetery in El Pardo. After his death, he was given the special title of "Captain general of the Navy". He was also declared "Duke of Carrero Blanco".

His Writings

Carrero Blanco wrote several books. These books were about the Spanish navy and its history. He also wrote political essays. He sometimes used the pen name Juan de la Cosa.

Carrero Blanco, Luis (1933) (in fr). Las Baleares durante la Guerra de América en el siglo XVIII. Paris.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1941) (in es). España y el mar. Madrid: Editora Nacional.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1941) (in es). Cinematica aeronaval. Madrid: Editorial Naval.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1943) (in es). Arte naval miltar: El buque de guerra (de la galera al portaaviones).. II. Madrid: Editora Naval.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1947) (in es). La guerra aeronaval en el Atlántico y en el Ártico. Madrid: Ediciones Idea.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1947) (in es). La guerra aeronaval en el Mediterráneo y en el Pacífico. Madrid: Ediciones Idea.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1948) (in es). La victoria del Cristo de Lepanto. Barcelona: Editora Nacional.
Carrero Blanco, Luis (1971) (in es). Lepanto (1571–1971). Salvat Editorial/Alianza Editorial.
De la Cosa, Juan (1949) (in es). La gran baza soviética. Comentarios de un español. Valencia: Semana Gráfica.
De la Cosa, Juan (1950) (in es). Las doctrinas del Komsomol. Comentarios de un español. Valencia: Semana Gráfica.
De la Cosa, Juan (1950) (in es). España ante el mundo: proceso de un aislamiento. Madrid: Ediciones Idea.
De la Cosa, Juan (1952) (in es). Gibraltar. Comentarios de un español. Valencia: Semana Gráfica.
De la Cosa, Juan (1956) (in es). Las modernas torres de Babel. Ediciones Idea.
De la Cosa, Juan (1973) (in es). Comentarios de un español; Las tribulaciones de don Prudencio; Diplomacia subterránea.. Madrid: Fuerza Nueva.

Images for kids

Signature of Luis Carrero Blanco
Coat of arms of the Dukedom of Carrero Blanco