Rafael Cruz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rafael Cruz
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Cruz speaking at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in 2015
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| Born |
Rafael Bienvenido Cruz y Díaz
March 22, 1939 Matanzas, Cuba
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| Nationality | Cuban (1939–present) Canadian (1973–2005) American (2005–present) |
| Education | University of Santiago de Cuba University of Texas, Austin (BS) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Julia Garza
(m. 1959; div. 1963)Eleanor Darragh Wilson
(m. 1969; div. 1997) |
| Children | 3, including Ted |
Rafael Bienvenido Cruz y Díaz, born on March 22, 1939, is an Cuban-American evangelical preacher. He is well-known as the father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. He has also helped his son during his political campaigns.
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Rafael Cruz's Early Life
Cruz was born in Matanzas, Cuba, in 1939. His father, also named Rafael Cruz, was a salesman. His mother, Emilia Laudelina Díaz, was a teacher.
As a teenager, Cruz joined the Cuban Revolution. He said he protested against the government of Fulgencio Batista. In 1956, at age 17, Cruz started attending the University of Santiago. He later said he didn't know the leader, Fidel Castro, was a Communist at that time.
Cruz stated he was held by Batista's government for a few days in 1957. After he was released, he applied to the University of Texas (UT). He got a student visa and left Cuba for the United States. He arrived with little money and did not speak much English.
He graduated from UT in 1961 with a degree in mathematics and chemical engineering. Cruz worked as a dishwasher to pay for college. He learned English by watching movies. After graduating, he was allowed to stay in the United States.
In his late twenties, Cruz moved to New Orleans. In 1969, he met Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson. They got married that year. Soon after, they moved to Calgary, Canada. Their son, Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz, was born there on December 22, 1970. In Calgary, Cruz and his wife owned a company called R.B. Cruz and Associates. This company helped oil drillers by processing seismic data. Cruz became a Canadian citizen in 1973. The family later moved to Houston, Texas. Eleanor and Rafael Cruz divorced in 1997.
Religious and Political Views
In 1975, Cruz changed his religious beliefs. He left the Catholic Church and became an Evangelical Protestant. This happened after he attended a Bible study. He felt a sense of peace he wanted to find. After his change, his son and wife also became Protestants. The family often talked about the Bible at home. Cruz became a pastor in 2004.
Today, Cruz works from his home in Carrollton, near Dallas. He travels as a preacher and public speaker. He also supported his son during the 2016 presidential campaign. In 2014, Cruz said, "I have a burden for this country." He believes people should "stop being politically correct and start being biblically correct."
Cruz was involved in politics in the 1980s. He was part of the Religious Roundtable, a group that worked to help Ronald Reagan get elected. He told his son, "God has destined you for greatness."
Cruz has encouraged Christians to vote. He believes it is important for people of faith to participate in their country's direction.
Rafael Cruz's Personal Life
In 1959, when he was 20, Cruz married Julia Ann Garza. They divorced around 1963. Julia later became a professor. They had two daughters, Miriam (1961–2011) and Roxana (born 1962), who is a doctor. Cruz has three grandchildren.
In 2005, Cruz gave up his Canadian citizenship. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Now, he holds only Cuban and American citizenships.
From 1993 to 2009, Cruz worked as a top salesman for Mannatech.
See also
- Seven Mountain Mandate
