Fulgencio Rubén Batista ’57

Fulgencio Rubén Batista died Nov. 7, 2007, at home in Miami after a courageous battle with leukemia and just 11 days short of his 74th birthday.

Rubén, the son of ex-Cuban President Fulgencio Batista, was born in Havana. After attending Lawrenceville, then Ruston Academy, he graduated from Princeton with a bachelor’s in economics. He was in the Glee Club and Cap and Gown, and was president of the Spanish Club. After graduating and returning to Cuba, he married Carmen and worked for a governmental organization helping small farmers. He was also elected to Cuba’s House of Representatives.

In 1959, the family moved to Spain and later Miami. Rubén managed real estate, was president of the Cuban Museum Foundation of Daytona Beach, and formed the FBZ Archivos Foundation. His passion lay in world history (including Cuba’s) and religions. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a keen intelligence, and dry wit. He was big-hearted and loyal. The tumult that often marked his life made him rock-strong, and he was a pillar of stability. Despite his high profile, Rubén lived his life privately and unassumingly. He was as fearless in death as in life.

He is survived by Carmen, his wife of 50 years; daughters Maria, Maribel, Carmen, and Tere ’86; and grandchildren Danny, Siena, and Skye.