As a revolutionary leader, there are few men who have played a more iconic role in South America than Simon Bolivar, and despite being born into a wealthy family, he went on to lead a revolution that ignited an independence movement across the continent, and had a devastating effect on the Spanish empire. Here are some facts you may not know about this historic leader and his achievements during his lifetime.


Bolivar Liberated Six Countries in Modern Day South America – Simon Bolivar was a key player in the wars that liberated six of the countries in the region, namely Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Peru, along with Bolivia.

He Was Originally From Venezuela – The Bolivar family lived in Caracas when Simon was born, and he had two older sisters and a brother. His full given name when he was born in 1783 was Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios.

His Father Died When He Was Just Three Years Old – Although Bolivar's family was relatively wealthy, he was to lose both his parents early in his life, with his father dying when he was only three years old, and his mother passing away six years later.

Bolivar Trained At a Military Academy as His Father Wished – Bolivar's father was a colonel, and Bolivar was sent to the military academy at Milicias de Veraguas when he was fourteen years old, which would stand him in very good stead for his military exploits later in his life.

Simon Bolivar Was a Member of the Freemasons – Like many other military and political leaders in the new world, Bolivar was a member of the Freemasons, visiting branches of the organization in Paris, London and Cadiz during his time in Europe.

Bolivar Founded a Vast South American Nation He Dubbed Gran Colombia – The dream of a greater South American nation led him to create Gran Colombia, a republic that covered much of the continent including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru, Guyana and northern Brazil. Founded after the liberation of several countries from the colonial control of the Spanish Empire, this was to be a short lived nation that lasted only twelve years.

He Eventually Exiled a Former Ally Who Served as His First Vice President – While Bolivar was appointed the president of the newly created Gran Colombia in 1819, General Francisco de Paula Santander joined him as vice president, having been one of Bolivar's allies in the revolution. Growing tensions between the two leaders eventually led to an event in which Santander was accused of plotting to assassinate Bolivar, and the General was eventually pardoned and exiled from the region.

Shortly After The Collapse of this Nation, Bolivar Died of Tuberculosis – In 1930, Gran Colombia eventually was divided into three separate states, and Bolivar resigned as president. Although he had intended to return to Europe, he died of tuberculosis in the city of Santa Marta before he could depart on a journey to Spain.

Shortly Before His Death, Simon Bolivar Was Preparing For His Own Exile in Europe – By the time of his death, with his dream of a united South America having failed, Bolivar was planning to sail from Cartagena, and had already sent many cases of his belongings before him. Although there has been speculation about the cause of his death, the evidence has always been that it was disease, not poison that killed Bolivar.