Early Life and Education of Guillermo del Toro: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Guillermo del Toro, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican filmmaker, author, and artist celebrated for his dark fantasy films. His work blends fairy tales, gothic horror, and visually poetic elements, often featuring grotesque imagery. Del Toro has a lifelong fascination with monsters, which he views as powerful symbols. He's known for pioneering dark fantasy, his distinctive use of insectile and religious imagery, his exploration of themes like Catholicism and celebrating imperfection, underworld motifs, his preference for practical special effects, and characteristic amber lighting in his films.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education

1986: Marriage to Lorenza Newton

In 1986, Guillermo del Toro married Lorenza Newton, cousin of singer Guadalupe Pineda, whom he met while studying at the Instituto de Ciencias in Guadalajara.

1997: Kidnapping of Federico del Toro

Around 1997, Guillermo del Toro's father, Federico del Toro Torres, was kidnapped in Guadalajara. The family paid twice the original ransom amount ($1 million) and he was released after 72 days. James Cameron helped to pay the ransom. This event prompted del Toro, his parents, and his siblings to move abroad.

2007: Del Toro describes his political position

In a 2007 interview, Guillermo del Toro described his political position as "a little too liberal" and expressed his dislike for authoritarianism and institutions.

2008: Del Toro on his involuntary exile

In a 2008 interview with Time magazine, Guillermo del Toro mentioned the kidnapping of his father and stated that he is in involuntary exile from his country.

2009: Del Toro signed petition in support of Roman Polanski

In 2009, Guillermo del Toro signed a petition in support of director Roman Polanski after Polanski was detained while traveling to a film festival in relation to his 1977 charges of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.

2009: Del Toro on religion

In a 2009 interview with Charlie Rose, Guillermo del Toro discussed his Catholic upbringing, his views on religion, and his belief in mankind. He mentioned becoming a "raging atheist" and his disillusionment with the Catholic Church's compliance with Francoist Spain.

2010: Del Toro on Video Games

In 2010, Guillermo del Toro revealed that he was a fan of video games, describing them as "the comic books of our time" and "a medium that gains no respect among the intelligentsia".

September 2017: Divorce from Lorenza Newton

In September 2017, Guillermo del Toro divorced Lorenza Newton after having two daughters together.

2019: Financial Support for Mexican Math Teams

In 2019, Guillermo del Toro paid for the flights of the Mexican teams to attend the 60th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in South Africa and the United Kingdom, after the Mexican chapter of the IMO announced the government had suspended financing for the youngsters.

2021: Marriage to Kim Morgan

In 2021, Guillermo del Toro married Kim Morgan, an American film historian who was formerly married to Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin.

November 2022: Honoris Causa Doctorate from UNAM

In November 2022, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) awarded Guillermo del Toro the Honoris Causa Doctorate for his "contributions to culture and his support for the youth".

September 2024: Skepticism of AI in Filmmaking

In September 2024, Guillermo del Toro expressed his skepticism of AI in filmmaking to the British Film Institute, stating that AI can only do semi-compelling screensavers and that art is about risking much to be in its presence.