Miguel De la Madrid helped lead Mexico through the country’s economic crisist in the 1980s and now he has passed away at 77 years old.
Madrid passed away in Mexico City on Sunday morning according to family members of the late President. Before his death President De La Madrid had been hospitalized because of complications stemming from pulmonary emphysema. While officials details regarding his death have not pointed directly at his recent health issues his office did say his death was caused because of a “long illness.”
De la Madrid is responsible for the countries “anti-crisis” plan which focused on austerity, that plan was implemented after the Mexican President inherited a 1982 economic crisis. Miguel De La Madrid served a six-year term as the President of Mexico.
While Miguel worked to stabilize the country he was also criticized after an earthquake in 1985 devastated much of the country, leading to national and international criticism regarding the countries ability to maintain and repair Mexico’s infrastructure after thousands of people were killed.
In a statement released by Mexican President Felipe Calderon he said De la Madrid “faced harsh adversities during his tenure.”
Felipe then described the former President as “a Mexican with a deep commitment to the country.”
Before becoming President of Mexico De la Madrid received his law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico along with a master’s in public administration from Harvard University. In the public sector Madrid worked for Mexico’s central bank, the Bank of Mexico and for state-owned oil company Petroleos de Mexico, also known as Pemex. The former Mexican President also held various posts in the Treasury Ministry.