History of Mario Vargas Llosa in Timeline
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.
1 day ago : Mario Vargas Llosa, Literary Giant and Nobel Laureate, Passes Away at 89
Peruvian writer and Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa has died at the age of 89 in Lima. He was a giant of universal literature.
1902: Publication of Euclides da Cunha's account of the Canudos revolt
In 1902, Brazilian writer Euclides da Cunha published a non-fiction account of the events of the Canudos revolt. This account served as the main inspiration for Vargas Llosa's novel "The War of the End of the World".
1930: Start of Rafael Trujillo's Dictatorship
In 1930, Rafael Trujillo began his dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, which lasted until his assassination in 1961. This period formed the basis for Vargas Llosa's novel "The Feast of the Goat".
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.
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.
1957: Publication of First Short Stories
In 1957, Vargas Llosa began his literary career in earnest with the publication of his first short stories, "The Leaders" and "The Grandfather."
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.
1959: Wins Premio Leopoldo Alas
In 1959, Vargas Llosa won the Premio Leopoldo Alas.
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.
1962: Wins Premio Biblioteca Breve
In 1962, Vargas Llosa won the Premio Biblioteca Breve.
1963: Publication of 'The Time of the Hero'
In 1963, Vargas Llosa published "The Time of the Hero (La ciudad y los perros)".
1963: Publication and Controversy of 'The Time of the Hero'
In 1963, Vargas Llosa's first novel, "The Time of the Hero (La ciudad y los perros)", was published, gaining wide public attention and immediate success but also sparking controversy due to its criticism of the Peruvian military.
1964: Divorce from Julia Urquidi
In 1964, Vargas Llosa's marriage to Julia Urquidi ended in divorce.
1965: Publication of 'The Green House'
In 1965, Vargas Llosa published "The Green House (La casa verde)".
1966: Publication of 'The Time of the Hero' in English
In 1966, the english version of "The Time of the Hero (La ciudad y los perros)" was published.
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.
1967: Rómulo Gallegos Prize
In 1967, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Rómulo Gallegos Prize.
1967: The Green House won the Romulo Gallegos International Novel Prize
In 1967, The Green House won the first edition of the Rómulo Gallegos International Novel Prize.
1968: Publication of 'The Green House' in English
In 1968, the english version of "The Green House (La casa verde)" was published.
1969: Lectured at King's College London
From 1969 to 1970, Vargas Llosa lectured on Spanish American Literature at King's College London.
1969: Publication of 'Conversation in The Cathedral'
In 1969, Vargas Llosa published "Conversation in The Cathedral (Conversación en La Catedral)".
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.
1971: Published García Márquez: Story of a Deicide
In 1971, Vargas Llosa published "García Márquez: Story of a Deicide (García Márquez: historia de un deicidio)", his doctoral thesis.
1971: The 'Padilla Affair' and Rupture with Cuban Government
In 1971, the 'Padilla Affair,' involving the imprisonment of poet Heberto Padilla by the Castro regime, led to Vargas Llosa's official break with the Cuban government's policies. Vargas Llosa, along with other intellectuals, protested the Cuban political system, marking his shift away from left-wing ideologies.
1973: Publication of 'Captain Pantoja and the Special Service'
In 1973, Vargas Llosa published "Captain Pantoja and the Special Service (Pantaleón y las visitadoras)".
1974: Focused on Writing
From 1974 to 1987, Vargas Llosa focused on his writing and pursued other endeavors.
1974: Birth of Morgana Vargas Llosa
In 1974, Morgana Vargas Llosa, a photographer, was born.
1975: Co-Directed Captain Pantoja and the Secret Service adaptation
In 1975, Vargas Llosa co-directed an unsuccessful motion-picture adaptation of his novel, "Captain Pantoja and the Secret Service".
1975: Publication of 'Conversation in The Cathedral' in English
In 1975, the english version of "Conversation in The Cathedral (Conversación en La Catedral)" was published.
1976: Breakdown of friendship with Garcia Marquez
In 1976, Vargas Llosa punched García Márquez in the face in Mexico City, ending their friendship.
1976: Elected President of PEN International
In 1976, Vargas Llosa was elected President of PEN International.
1977: Publication of 'Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter'
In 1977, Vargas Llosa published "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (La tía Julia y el escribidor)".
1977: Elected to Peruvian Academy of Language and Published Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter
In 1977, Vargas Llosa was elected as a member of the Peruvian Academy of Language and published "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (La tía Julia y el escribidor)".
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.
1978: Publication of 'Captain Pantoja and the Special Service' in English
In 1978, the english version of "Captain Pantoja and the Special Service (Pantaleón y las visitadoras)" was published.
1979: Left the Presidency of PEN International
In 1979, Vargas Llosa left the Presidency of PEN International.
1981: Publication of "The War of the End of the World"
In 1981, Vargas Llosa published his fourth major novel, "The War of the End of the World", his first attempt at a historical novel, marking a shift towards themes of messianism and irrational behavior. The novel recreates the War of Canudos in 19th-century Brazil and explores humanity's idealization of violence, garnering substantial recognition, though initially poorly received in Brazil due to the author's foreign perspective.
1982: Publication of 'Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter' in English
In 1982, the english version of "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (La tía Julia y el escribidor)" was published.
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.
1983: Appointment to Investigatory Commission and Negative Reactions
In 1983, Vargas Llosa was appointed to the Investigatory Commission on the Uchuraccay massacre, leading to negative reactions and defamation from the Peruvian press. The commission's conclusion, attributing responsibility to indigenous villagers, drew intense criticism and accusations of a government cover-up.
1983: Essays and journalism collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 1
In 1983, Vargas Llosa's essays and journalism were collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 1.
1984: Publication of "The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta"
In 1984, Vargas Llosa's novel, "The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta", was published. The novel centers around a leftist insurrection that occurred on May 29, 1962, in the Andean city of Jauja.
1986: Prince of Asturias Award
In 1986, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Prince of Asturias Award.
1986: Completes "Who Killed Palomino Molero"
In 1986, Vargas Llosa completed his novel "Who Killed Palomino Molero", a mystery inspired by his experiences with the Uchuraccay investigation. The novel is described as a "literary exorcism" of Vargas Llosa's experiences during the commission.
1986: Essays and journalism collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 2
In 1986, Vargas Llosa's essays and journalism were collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 2.
1987: Focused on Writing
From 1974 to 1987, Vargas Llosa focused on his writing and pursued other endeavors.
1987: Forms Movimiento Libertad
In 1987, Vargas Llosa helped form and became a leader of the center-right party Movimiento Libertad.
1987: Considered the most controversial Latin American novelist
In 1987, literary critic Gerald Martin considered Vargas Llosa "perhaps the most successful ... certainly the most controversial Latin American novelist of the past twenty-five years".
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: Presidential Run
In 1990, Vargas Llosa ran for the Peruvian presidency with the center-right Frente Democrático coalition, advocating for liberal reforms, but lost to Alberto Fujimori.
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.
1990: Essays and journalism collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 3
In 1990, Vargas Llosa's essays and journalism were collected as Contra viento y marea Volume 3.
1990: Adaptation of Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter
In 1990, the novel "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter" was adapted into a Hollywood feature film, Tune in Tomorrow.
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: Account of Presidential Run in Memoir
In 1993, Vargas Llosa included an account of his run for the presidency in the memoir A Fish in the Water.
1993: Inspiration for Death in the Andes
In 1993, Vargas Llosa published the novel, Death in the Andes. The tragic events at Uchuraccay inspired the novel.
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.
1994: Miguel de Cervantes Prize
In 1994, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Miguel de Cervantes Prize.
1994: Elected to Real Academia Española
In 1994, Vargas Llosa was elected a member of the Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy).
1995: Jerusalem Prize
In 1995, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Jerusalem Prize.
January 1996: Takes up seat L on the Real Academia Española
On January 15, 1996, Vargas Llosa took up seat L on the Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy).
1996: Publication of La utopía arcaica
In 1996, Vargas Llosa published a book-length study on José María Arguedas's work, titled La utopía arcaica.
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: Publication of "The Feast of the Goat"
In 2000, Vargas Llosa's political thriller, "The Feast of the Goat", was published, depicting the effects of authoritarianism, violence, and abuse of power, based on the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic from 1930 until his assassination in 1961.
2001: Alejandro Toledo's Presidency
In 2001 Alejandro Toledo began his term as President of Peru.
2001: English publication of "The Feast of the Goat"
In 2001, the English version of Vargas Llosa's "The Feast of the Goat" was published. The book quickly received positive reviews in Spain and Latin America, and has had a significant impact in Latin America, being regarded as one of Vargas Llosa's best works.
2002: Wins PEN/Nabokov Award
In 2002, Vargas Llosa was the recipient of the PEN/Nabokov Award.
2003: Writes "The Way to Paradise"
In 2003, Vargas Llosa wrote "The Way to Paradise", in which he studies Flora Tristan and Paul Gauguin.
2005: Receives Irving Kristol Award
In 2005, Vargas Llosa received the Irving Kristol Award from the American Enterprise Institute.
2006: End of Alejandro Toledo's Presidency
In 2006 Alejandro Toledo's term as President of Peru came to an end.
2006: Writes "The Bad Girl"
In 2006, Vargas Llosa wrote "The Bad Girl", a novel argued to be a rewrite of Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary". The plot revolves around a Peruvian expatriate's decades-long obsession with a woman he loved as a teenager.
2007: Photograph of Garcia Marquez surfaces and truce with Garcia Marquez
In 2007, a photograph of García Márquez sporting a black eye from the 1976 incident was published, reigniting public interest in the feud. Despite the decades of silence, in 2007, Vargas Llosa agreed to allow part of his book to be used as the introduction to a 40th-anniversary edition of García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.
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.
2008: Receives Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Award
In 2008, Vargas Llosa received the Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholar and Writers Award at Dickinson College.
October 2010: Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature
On October 7, 2010, the Swedish Academy announced that Vargas Llosa was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual's resistance, revolt, and defeat."
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.
2010: Nobel Prize in Literature
In 2010, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual's resistance, revolt, and defeat."
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.
2012: Carlos Fuentes International Prize
In 2012, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Carlos Fuentes International Prize.
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.
2016: Named in Panama Papers
In 2016, Vargas Llosa was named in the Panama Papers, which revealed his ownership of the British Virgin Islands company Melek Investing Inc., used for book royalty profits and real estate sales. His representative stated investments were made "without the consent of Messrs. Vargas Llosa".
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.
2018: Pablo Neruda Order of Artistic and Cultural Merit
In 2018, Mario Vargas Llosa won the Pablo Neruda Order of Artistic and Cultural Merit.
2019: Publication of "Tiempos recios" ("Harsh Times")
In 2019, Vargas Llosa published the novel "Tiempos recios" (translated as "Harsh Times"), which is about the 1954 coup in Guatemala.
November 2021: Elected to the Académie française
On November 25, 2021, Vargas Llosa was elected to the Académie française.
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: Election to the Académie française
In 2021, Mario Vargas Llosa was elected to the Académie française.
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: Named in Pandora Papers
In 2021, Vargas Llosa was named in the Pandora Papers. A document showed his signature on a "Consent to Act as Director" form for Melek Investing Inc., though a representative claimed he "was not aware of the ownership of that company".
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.
April 2025: Death of Mario Vargas Llosa
In April 2025, Mario Vargas Llosa passed away.
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