Early Life and Education of Nicolás Maduro: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Nicolás Maduro. A timeline of key moments.

Nicolás Maduro is a Venezuelan politician who assumed the presidency in 2013. Formerly the vice president and minister of foreign affairs under Hugo Chávez, his presidency has been marked by economic crisis and political turmoil. In 2026, he and his wife were captured by US forces and charged with drug trafficking, leading to his de facto removal from power. However, the Venezuelan government considers him the de jure president with Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

November 1962: Maduro's Alleged Birth Date

According to a 2016 Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruling, Nicolás Maduro was born in Caracas on 23 November 1962.

November 1962: Birth in Caracas

In November 1962, Nicolás Maduro Moros was born in Caracas into a working-class family.

November 23, 1962: Nicolás Maduro Born

On November 23, 1962, Nicolás Maduro Moros was born. He later became the 53rd president of Venezuela in 2013.

April 1989: Death of Father

In April 1989, Nicolás Maduro's father, Nicolás Maduro García, died in a motor vehicle accident.

2002: Tenth anniversary of the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt

In 2002, during a tenth anniversary gathering commemorating the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt going into the 2012 Venezuelan presidential election, Maduro called opposition members "snobs" and "little faggots".

2005: Visit to Sathya Sai Baba in India

In 2005, Nicolás Maduro visited Indian Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba in India.

2012: Reported Follower of Sathya Sai Baba

In 2012, it was reported by The New York Times that Nicolás Maduro was a follower of Indian Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba.

June 2013: Conflicting Birthplace Declarations

In June 2013, Nicolás Maduro gave conflicting statements about his birthplace. He claimed to be born in Caracas during a press conference in Rome and Elías Jaua claimed Maduro was born in El Valle parish in Caracas during an interview with a Spanish journalist.

October 2013: Tibisay Lucena Claims Maduro Born in La Candelaria

In October 2013, Tibisay Lucena, head of the National Electoral Council, claimed Maduro was born in La Candelaria Parish in Caracas, showing copies of the registry presentation book of all the newborns on the alleged date of Maduro's birth.

2013: Jewish Ancestry Claim

In 2013, Nicolás Maduro stated that his grandparents were Jewish, from a Sephardic Moorish background, and converted to Catholicism in Venezuela.

2014: Official Declarations Share Four Different Birthplaces of Maduro

By 2014, official declarations by the Venezuela government shared four different birthplaces of Maduro. Tachira state's governor José Vielma Mora assured that Maduro was born in El Palotal sector of San Antonio del Táchira

April 2016: Maduro Changes Birthplace Narrative Again

In April 2016, Nicolás Maduro changed his birthplace narrative once more, stating he was born in Los Chaguaramos, specifically in Valle Abajo, and was baptized in the San Pedro church.

October 2016: Supreme Tribunal Ruling on Maduro's Birthplace

On 28 October 2016, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that Nicolás Maduro was born in Caracas, in the parish of La Candelaria, on 23 November 1962, based on "incontrovertible evidence". The ruling cited a communique from the Colombian vice-minister of foreign affairs stating that no information was found to infer that Maduro is a Colombian national.

2016: Request to Investigate Maduro's Nationality

In 2016, a group of Venezuelans requested the National Assembly to investigate whether Nicolás Maduro was Colombian, citing doubts about his origins and his refusal to show his birth certificate. Allegations arose that he might be Colombian by birth due to his mother's nationality and his childhood residence in Colombia.

November 2017: Maduro Eats Empanada During Live Broadcast

In November 2017, during a live broadcast, Maduro was caught on camera eating an empanada from his desk, sparking controversy due to the nationwide food shortage and his perceived weight gain.

2017: Maduro expresses personal support for same-sex marriage.

In 2017, Maduro expressed his personal support for same-sex marriage.

September 2018: Maduro Dines at Salt Bae's Restaurant

In September 2018, Maduro dined at one of Salt Bae's luxury restaurants in Istanbul, where he was served a meat-heavy meal and offered personalized gifts, which drew international criticism due to the economic struggles faced by Venezuelans.

December 2018: Glamorous Christmas Party Leaked

In December 2018, videos and pictures leaked showing a glamorous Christmas party with an expensive feast, including French wine, at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, sparking backlash due to the country's economic crisis.

January 2026: Capture by US Forces

In January 2026, US forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transported them to the US, where they were charged with drug trafficking.