The final Mexican president to have served as a soldier during the Mexican Revolution, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines assumed office in 1952 at age 62. His administration was characterized by a push for fiscal austerity, the implementation of nationwide voting rights for women, and the management of a period of national growth known as the Mexican Miracle.
Military Service and Financial Management
Born in Veracruz on 30 December 1889, Ruiz Cortines entered the Constitutional Army to oppose the government of Victoriano Huerta. He served as a Major, performing duties primarily as a bookkeeper and paymaster. His aptitude for administrative precision became evident in 1920 when he successfully managed the delivery of 150 million pesos in gold—representing the national treasure—to General Adolfo de la Huerta after the defeat of Venustiano Carranza. He formally retired from military service in 1926.
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Following his military tenure, Ruiz Cortines utilized his background in statistics and accounting to integrate into the bureaucracy. He worked within the Department of Statistics from 1921 to 1935 and held a position at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. By 1935, he was serving as Senior Official of the Government of the Federal District. He secured a seat in the Chamber of Deputies for Veracruz in 1937 and later managed the 1939 presidential campaign for Manuel Ávila Camacho. He served as Governor of Veracruz from 1944 to 1948 before being appointed Secretary of the Interior by President Miguel Alemán Valdés.
The Presidency and Structural Reform
Ruiz Cortines began his presidential term in 1952 following a disputed election. His administration prioritized constitutional and social reform, most notably modifying Article 34 to grant women the right to vote. He oversaw the establishment of the National Nuclear Energy Commission and the National Housing Institute to manage infrastructure expansion. To address social welfare, he mandated the implementation of aguinaldos for workers. Distinguishing himself from his predecessors, he focused on fiscal discipline, increased administrative transparency, and targeted anti-corruption measures to bolster public trust in the state.
Fast facts
- Born: 30 December 1889, Veracruz
- Died: 3 December 1973, Mexico City
- President of Mexico: 1952-1958
- Governor of Veracruz: 1944-1948
- Military Rank: Major
- Political Party: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
Questions readers ask
What significant constitutional change occurred during his presidency?
He proposed and enacted a reform to Article 34 of the Mexican Constitution, which granted women the right to vote.
What was his economic policy?
He favored fiscal austerity and is credited with overseeing the economic period known as the Mexican Miracle.
