Biography
Lenín Voltaire Moreno Garcés was born on March 19, 1953, in Nuevo Rocafuerte, Ecuador. He studied at the Central University of Ecuador after attending Unidad Educativa Mejía. Moreno started his career in the private sector as a businessman before moving into public service and politics. In 1998, he was shot during a robbery attempt, leaving him paralyzed and needing a wheelchair. Instead of withdrawing from public life, this event drove him to become a strong advocate for disability rights and social inclusion.
Moreno entered national politics as Ecuador's vice president from 2007 to 2013, working with President Rafael Correa as part of the PAIS Alliance. As vice president, he was very involved in advocating for disability rights, creating programs and policies to better the lives of people with disabilities in Ecuador. His work gained international recognition, leading to a nomination for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. He also wrote during this time, sharing his experiences and advocacy efforts.
In 2017, Moreno was nominated by the PAIS Alliance as their presidential candidate and narrowly won the election in the second round on April 2, becoming Ecuador's 46th president. His presidency marked a major political shift as he moved away from Rafael Correa's leftist policies, taking more centrist stances in both domestic and foreign matters. This shift caused tension within his party and with Correa.
During his presidency, Moreno faced many challenges such as economic troubles, social unrest, and political instability. His administration introduced austerity measures and sought closer relations with international financial institutions, which led to widespread protests. From 2017 to 2021, he was the only serving head of state who used a wheelchair. His presidency ended in 2021 with a very low approval rating of just 9 percent, and he was kicked out of the PAIS Alliance after the party's loss in the 2021 elections.
Before Fame
Born in the remote Amazonian town of Nuevo Rocafuerte, Moreno grew up in an area that would later shape his understanding of Ecuador's various geographic and social challenges. He completed his secondary education at Unidad Educativa Mejía before moving on to higher education at the Central University of Ecuador. Moreno initially focused on business, making his mark in the private sector before the 1998 shooting that changed both his personal circumstances and career path.
The late 1990s in Ecuador were times of economic instability and rising crime, which led to the violent incident that left Moreno paralyzed. This personal change happened when disability rights were often ignored in Ecuador, making him an unexpected but strong advocate for social change and inclusion.
Key Achievements
- Served as Vice President of Ecuador from 2007 to 2013 under Rafael Correa
- Won the 2017 presidential election and served as Ecuador's 46th president until 2021
- Nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for disability rights advocacy
- Became the world's first wheelchair-using head of state in modern history
- Established significant disability rights programs and policies in Ecuador
Did You Know?
- 01.He became the world's only wheelchair-using head of state during his presidency from 2017 to 2021
- 02.His middle name 'Voltaire' reflects his parents' admiration for the French Enlightenment philosopher
- 03.He was nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for his disability rights advocacy work
- 04.Despite being Correa's chosen successor, he later became one of his predecessor's most prominent political opponents
- 05.He received the Golden Key of Madrid in 2017, the same year he assumed the presidency
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru | 2014 | — |
| Order of Antonio José de Irisarri | 2011 | — |
| Golden Key of Madrid | 2017 | — |