Childhood and Education Journey of Mario Vargas Llosa in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Mario Vargas Llosa. From birth to education, explore key events.

Mario Vargas Llosa, a Peruvian novelist, journalist, essayist, and former politician, stands as one of Latin America's most influential writers. A leading figure of his generation, some critics believe he achieved a wider international reach than others associated with the Latin American Boom. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010 for his exploration of power structures and his portrayal of individual resistance. Other accolades include the Rómulo Gallegos Prize, Prince of Asturias Award, Miguel de Cervantes Prize, and Jerusalem Prize. In 2021, he was elected to the Académie française, solidifying his literary legacy.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

March 1936: Birth of Mario Vargas Llosa

In March 1936, Jorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa, more commonly known as Mario Vargas Llosa, was born in Arequipa, Peru.

Others born on this day/year

1946: First saw Universitario de Deportes

In 1946, Vargas Llosa first saw the Universitario de Deportes in the field.

1946: Moved to Lima and Met His Father

In 1946, at the age of ten, Vargas Llosa moved to Lima and met his father for the first time.

1947: Studied at Colegio La Salle

From 1947 to 1949, Vargas Llosa studied at the Colegio La Salle, a Catholic middle school, in Lima.

1949: Studied at Colegio La Salle

From 1947 to 1949, Vargas Llosa studied at the Colegio La Salle, a Catholic middle school, in Lima.

1953: Enrolled at National University of San Marcos

In 1953, Vargas Llosa enrolled in Lima's National University of San Marcos to study law and literature.

1954: 1954 coup in Guatemala

In 1954, the coup in Guatemala occurred. This event is the focus of Vargas Llosa's 2019 novel, "Tiempos recios" (Harsh Times).

1955: Marriage to Julia Urquidi

In 1955, at the age of 19, Vargas Llosa married Julia Urquidi, his maternal uncle's sister-in-law.

1958: Scholarship to Complutense University of Madrid

In 1958, Vargas Llosa graduated from the National University of San Marcos and received a scholarship to study at the Complutense University of Madrid in Spain.

1960: Moved to Paris

In 1960, Vargas Llosa moved to France after his scholarship in Madrid expired, intending to continue his studies, but the scholarship was denied. He remained in Paris and began to write prolifically.

1961: Assassination of Rafael Trujillo

In 1961, Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic since 1930, was assassinated. Vargas Llosa's novel "The Feast of the Goat" is based on Trujillo's dictatorship.

1964: Divorce from Julia Urquidi

In 1964, Vargas Llosa's marriage to Julia Urquidi ended in divorce.

1966: Birth of Álvaro Vargas Llosa

In 1966, Álvaro Vargas Llosa, a writer and editor, was born.

1967: Birth of Gonzalo Vargas Llosa

In 1967, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, an international civil servant, was born.

1969: Lectured at King's College London

From 1969 to 1970, Vargas Llosa lectured on Spanish American Literature at King's College London.

1970: Lectured at King's College London

From 1969 to 1970, Vargas Llosa lectured on Spanish American Literature at King's College London.

1971: Disenchantment with Cuban policies

In 1971, Vargas Llosa became disenchanted with the Cuban revolutionary government's policies, especially after the imprisonment of Cuban poet Heberto Padilla.

1974: Birth of Morgana Vargas Llosa

In 1974, Morgana Vargas Llosa, a photographer, was born.

1977: Simón Bolívar Professor

In 1977–78, Vargas Llosa was Simón Bolívar Professor and an Overseas Fellow of Churchill College at the University of Cambridge.

1983: Completes "The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta" and joins Investigatory Commission

In 1983, Vargas Llosa finished writing "The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta", which focuses on a leftist insurrection in Jauja. Later in 1983, he joined the Investigatory Commission to inquire into the massacre of eight journalists in Uchuraccay, at the request of Peruvian President Fernando Belaúnde Terry.

The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta: A Novel

Check it on Amazon

1987: Forms Movimiento Libertad

In 1987, Vargas Llosa helped form and became a leader of the center-right party Movimiento Libertad.

1989: Accusations of association with far-right politicians

In 1989, The Washington Post noted that although Vargas Llosa's party appeared center-right, he had ties with far-right politicians in other countries, leading to criticism.

August 1990: Condemns the Mexican political system

In August 1990, Vargas Llosa attended a conference in Mexico where he condemned the Mexican system of power under the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), calling it "the perfect dictatorship".

1990: Runs for President of Peru

In 1990, Vargas Llosa ran for the presidency of Peru as the candidate of the FREDEMO coalition, advocating for neoliberal policies that included a drastic economic austerity program.

1992: Visiting Professor at Harvard University

During the 1992–1993 academic year, Mario Vargas Llosa served as a visiting professor of Latin American studies at Harvard University.

1993: Acquires Spanish Citizenship

In the 1990s, Vargas Llosa mainly lived in Madrid. In 1993, Vargas Llosa acquired Spanish citizenship, while still holding Peruvian nationality.

1999: Honorary Degree from Harvard

In 1999, Harvard University conferred upon Vargas Llosa an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

1999: Writes op-ed on left-wing dictators

In 1999, following the arrest of Augusto Pinochet, Vargas Llosa wrote an op-ed in The New York Times questioning why left-wing dictators were not also being arrested.

2000: PRI falls from power

The PRI fell from power in 2000.

2001: Alejandro Toledo's Presidency

In 2001 Alejandro Toledo began his term as President of Peru.

2006: End of Alejandro Toledo's Presidency

In 2006 Alejandro Toledo's term as President of Peru came to an end.

February 2008: Switches support to Union, Progress and Democracy

In February 2008, Vargas Llosa ended his support for the People's Party and switched his allegiance to the recently created Union, Progress and Democracy party, due to the former's conservative views conflicting with his classical liberal beliefs.

November 2010: Receives honorary degree from City College of New York

On November 18, 2010, Vargas Llosa received an honorary degree Degree of Letters from the City College of New York and delivered the President's Lecture.

February 2011: Awarded honorary life membership of Universitario de Deportes

In February 2011, Vargas Llosa was awarded an honorary life membership of the Universitario de Deportes football club, in a ceremony at the Monumental Stadium of Lima.

February 2011: Raised into the Spanish nobility

On February 4, 2011, Vargas Llosa was raised into the Spanish nobility by King Juan Carlos I with the hereditary title of Marqués de Vargas Llosa (Marquess of Vargas Llosa).

April 2011: Supports Alejandro Toledo in Peruvian election

In April 2011, Vargas Llosa participated in the Peruvian general election, stating he would vote for Alejandro Toledo and advocating for his country to stay on the path of legality and freedom.

2011: Criticizes Keiko Fujimori in Peruvian election

During her candidacy in the 2011 Peruvian general election, Vargas Llosa criticized Keiko Fujimori and endorsed Ollanta Humala.

2014: Condemns Keiko Fujimori's family

In 2014, Vargas Llosa described Keiko Fujimori as the daughter of a murderer and thief who is imprisoned for murder and theft.

2014: Joins the Mont Pelerin Society

In 2014, Vargas Llosa joined the Mont Pelerin Society.

2015: Started relationship with Isabel Preysler

In 2015, Vargas Llosa started his relationship with Isabel Preysler and divorced his first cousin Patricia Llosa.

2016: Condemns Keiko Fujimori's candidacy

After Fujimori announced her candidacy for the 2016 Peruvian general election, Vargas Llosa condemned her as the daughter of a murderer and thief.

October 2017: Attends anti-independence rally in Catalonia

In October 2017, Vargas Llosa attended an anti-independence rally in Catalonia, stating that Spanish democracy would endure and no separatist conspiracy could destroy it.

2021: Expresses support for José Antonio Kast

During the 2021 Chilean general elections, Vargas Llosa expressed his support for the conservative presidential candidate José Antonio Kast.

2021: Attends rally against pardon of Catalan independence leaders

In 2021, Vargas Llosa attended a rally in Madrid against the pardon of Catalan independence leaders.

2021: Supports Keiko Fujimori in Peruvian election

In the second round of the 2021 Peruvian general election, Vargas Llosa supported Keiko Fujimori as the "lesser of two evils", citing opposition to far-left candidate Pedro Castillo.

April 2022: Hospitalized with COVID-19

In April 2022, Vargas Llosa was infected with COVID-19 and hospitalized.

December 2022: Split from Isabel Preysler announced

In December 2022, it was announced that Vargas Llosa and Isabel Preysler had split up.

2022: Endorses Jair Bolsonaro in Brazilian election

During the 2022 Brazilian general election, Vargas Llosa endorsed conservative leader Jair Bolsonaro, stating a preference for Bolsonaro over Lula despite reservations about Bolsonaro's jokes.