Mario Conde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mario Conde
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Conde in La Moncloa, 1988
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| Chairman of Banesto | |
| In office 16 December 1987 – 28 December 1993 |
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| President of Civil Society and Democracy | |
| In office 6 October 2012 – 21 May 2013 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 September 1948 Tui, Spain |
| Political party | CDS SCD |
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| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Universidad de Deusto |
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| Signature |  |
Mario Antonio Conde (born 14 September 1948) is a Spanish businessman, former banker, and politician. He was the chairman of Banesto, one of Spain's biggest banks, from 1987 to 1993. At the height of his career, Mario Conde was a very powerful figure in Spain's economy.
He was known for being very smart and hardworking. He became the youngest State Lawyer in Spain's history at just 24 years old. This was a huge achievement, as it usually takes much longer to earn this title.
After working for the government, he moved into the private business world. He became very successful and wealthy through smart business deals. This led him to buy many shares in Banesto, eventually becoming its chairman.
However, during his time as chairman, Banesto faced serious financial problems. The Bank of Spain, which is like the country's central bank, had to step in to help the bank in 1993. Mario Conde later faced legal issues related to his time at Banesto and spent time in prison.
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Early Life and Education
Mario Conde was born on 14 September 1948 in Tui, a town in Spain. He studied Law at the University of Deusto and was the top student in his class. He earned many special awards for his excellent academic work.
In 1973, he joined the State Lawyers Corps, again finishing first in his group. After working for the government for a few years, he decided to move into the private business world in 1976.
Business Career
Mario Conde quickly became a very successful businessman. He made a lot of money from selling a company that made antibiotics. This deal was one of the biggest private business transactions in Spain at the time.
With his new wealth, he and his business partner bought a large part of Banesto, a major bank in Spain. In November 1987, he became the chairman of Banesto. He was the youngest person to lead such a big financial institution at that time.
Challenges at Banesto
Mario Conde's time as chairman of Banesto ended in December 1993. The bank had lost a lot of money, and the Bank of Spain had to take control to fix its problems. This was a very significant event in Spain's financial history.
Following this, Mario Conde faced several legal challenges. He was held in preventive detention for a short period. He was later sentenced to prison for issues related to the bank's management. He served about 11 years in prison before being released.
Political Involvement
After his time in banking, Mario Conde became involved in politics. In 1998, he joined the Democratic and Social Centre (CDS) party. He ran as a candidate for prime minister in the 2000 general election, but his party did not win any seats in parliament.
He also started his own political party called Sociedad Civil y Democracia (SCD) in 2011. He was elected as its president in 2012. The party focused on changing how Spain's regional governments worked. He ran in a regional election in Galicia but did not win. He left his role as party leader in 2013.
In 2016, he faced further legal issues. Some people believe that his legal troubles were caused by powerful figures in Spain, including former prime ministers.
As a Writer
Mario Conde has written several books. These books share his experiences with power, his time in prison, and his thoughts on various topics. One of his most well-known books, "The System," talks about his personal experiences with what he believes are unofficial powers that influence the country, such as bankers and politicians.
Honours
Complutense University of Madrid: Doctor Honoris Causa (1993-2016)
See also
In Spanish: Mario Conde para niños
- Economy of Spain
