Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 24 April 1903
- José Antonio Primo de Rivera was the son of the Spanish military dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera, from whom he inherited the aristocratic title of Marquis of Estelle. He was into rich occupations such as horseback riding and hunting. Francisco Franco at first did not really appreciate Jose Antonio and reportedly described him as a dandy and a playboy.
On this day was born the right-wing Spanish politician Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera. He is the founder of the known Spanish Falange, a right-wing party with fascist characteristics.
Interestingly, Falange under Primo de Rivera was not a monarchist and conservative-oriented party, but – on the contrary – republican andmodernist. In this respect, it was somewhat similar to Italian fascism.
José Antonio Primo de Rivera had an aristocratic background and an excellent right-wing pedigree. In fact, he was the eldest son of the Spanish military dictator Miguel Prima de Rivera, who ruled Spain from 1923 till 1930.
As the son of the reigning dictator, young and wealthy José Antonio was a champion of youth. He was interested in aristocratic occupations such as horseback riding and hunting.
He graduated from law school and became a doctor of law.When his father, thedictator, died, José Antonio at the age of 26 succeeded the title of Marquis of Estella (marques de Estella).
It is a town of Estella in Navarre, close to the famous Pamplona where the bulls run through the streets.
The young Marquis of Estella i.e. José Antonio Primo de Rivera founded the Falange Party in October, 1933. At that time, Hitler already came to power in Germany.
It is very interesting that Francisco Franco at first did not really appreciate José Antonio Primo de Rivera and reportedly described him as a dandy and a playboy.
Prima de Rivera was finally killed by the Republicans when he was only 33 years old. It was at the very beginning of the Spanish Civil War.
In fact, he was arrested with illegal firearms and was then tried for conspiracy and military insurrection. The verdict was – death by firing squad.
After Primo de Rivera was killed, FrancointegratedFalange, and even part of the cult of personality of themurdered marquise, in his movement.
In 1948 Franco even posthumously promoted him to the rank of Duke of Primo de Rivera (duke is the highest aristocratic title in Spain).
In 1959 his mortal remains were exhumed and re-interred in the gargantuan basilica of theValley of the Fallen outside Madrid.
