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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| Citizenship | Cuba (since 1939) Canada (1973–2005) United States (since 2005) |
| 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 Cruz |
Rafael Bienvenido Cruz y Díaz, born on March 22, 1939, is a preacher from Cuba and the United States. He is well-known as the father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Mr. Cruz often helped his son during his political campaigns.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rafael Cruz was born in Matanzas, Cuba, in 1939. His father, also named Rafael, sold products for RCA. His family came from the Canary Islands in Spain. His mother, Emilia Laudelina Díaz, was a teacher.
Protesting in Cuba
As a teenager, Cruz attended Arturo Echemendia primary school. He said he joined the Cuban Revolution to protest the government. He claimed he was jailed for a few days for speaking out.
In September 1956, at age 17, Cruz started college at the University of Santiago. He has said he did not know the leader, Fidel Castro, was a Communist at first. After being released from jail, he applied to the University of Texas.
Moving to the United States
In August 1957, Cruz was accepted to the University of Texas. He got a special student visa to leave Cuba. He said he left with $100 sewn into his clothes. He traveled by bus from Florida to Texas.
When he arrived, he knew very little English. He studied math and chemical engineering. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1961. To pay for college, he worked as a dishwasher. He learned English by watching movies.
Family Life
First Marriage
In 1959, when he was 20, Cruz married Julia Ann Garza. They divorced in 1963. Julia later became a professor. They had two daughters: Miriam Cruz (1961–2011) and Roxana Cruz (born 1962). Roxana is a doctor.
Second Marriage
After college, Cruz was allowed to stay in the United States. He moved to New Orleans. In 1969, he met Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson. She was a computer programmer. They married in 1969.
Soon after, they moved to Calgary, Canada. Their son, Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz, was born there on December 22, 1970. While in Canada, they owned a company that helped oil drillers. Cruz became a Canadian citizen in 1973. The family later moved to Houston, Texas. Eleanor and Rafael Cruz divorced in 1997.
Citizenship and Work
In 2005, Cruz became a U.S. citizen. He gave up his Canadian citizenship at that time. He now has Cuban and American citizenship. From 1993 to 2009, Cruz worked as a salesman. He sold health supplements for a company called Mannatech.
Religious and Political Views
In 1975, Cruz became an Evangelical Protestant. He had been Catholic before. He said he found peace after attending a Bible study. After his change, his wife and son also became Protestants. The family often talked about the Bible at home.
Cruz became a pastor in 2004. He now travels as a preacher and public speaker. He often campaigned for his son, Ted Cruz, during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Beliefs and Involvement
Cruz has said he feels a strong need to speak out for his country. He believes that politics and religion are connected. In the 1980s, he was part of a religious group that helped elect Ronald Reagan.
He once told his son, Ted, that he was meant for great things. In 2012, Cruz gave a sermon where he talked about his son's campaign. He encouraged people to give money to their churches.
During his son's 2016 presidential campaign, Rafael Cruz played an important role. He helped Ted Cruz connect with Christian voters. He even returned to campaigning after having eye surgery.
Cruz has encouraged Christians to vote. He believes it is important for people of faith to be involved in their country's future.
See also
- Seven Mountain Mandate
