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Born A Creole Prince
- Simón Bolívar was born into one of Caracas's richest creole families with vast estates and hundreds of slaves.
- He inherited large fortunes early after both parents died, making him a wealthy but headstrong orphan.
Identity Crisis Among Creole Elites
- The creole aristocracy in Caracas faced an identity crisis as new Spanish imperial offices increased oversight and insulted local elites.
- This tension seeded early resentment that would later feed independence movements.
Orphaned, Escaping, And Tutored
- Bolívar lost both parents young and was raised by a black slave nurse named Hipólita before being placed with an exploitative uncle.
- He ran away at 12 and was later tutored by Simón Rodríguez, an Enlightenment enthusiast who shaped his education.