General Raúl Castro sent flowers to the funeral of his former sister-in-law, Mirta Díaz-Balart, who passed away this Saturday at the age of 95. "With deep emotion, I extend my warmest and sincerest gratitude to my dear great-uncle Raúl, who, with his customary grandeur and human sensitivity, sent beautiful flowers to his soul sister, my grandmother Mirta," wrote Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov on X. Fidel Antonio is the son of Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart ("Fidelito"), who committed suicide in 2018, and Russian citizen Olga Smirnova.
The posted images also showed a tribute from Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. Mirta Díaz-Balart Gutiérrez, the first wife of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and mother of his eldest son, died at 95 years old. She was born in Havana on September 30, 1928, the daughter of a wealthy Cuban politician. She was studying Philosophy at the University of Havana when she met Fidel, a student in the Law Faculty and a student leader. They married in 1948 despite her family's opposition, which nevertheless financed the wedding. They honeymooned in Miami and New York.
In 1949, Fidelito, the couple's only child, was born. They divorced in 1955 when Fidel was exiled in Mexico. She retained sole custody of the child. In 1956, Mirta married lawyer Emilio Núñez Blanco, from a family loyal to Fulgencio Batista and son of former Cuban ambassador to the UN, Emilio Núñez Portuondo.
A 2016 report by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo recounts that when Fidel found out about the wedding, he had his son sent to Mexico under the pretext of wanting to say goodbye in case he died in his political struggles. However, once there, he forcibly retained him. Eventually, Núñez Portuondo himself rescued Fidelito.
After the revolution's triumph, in 1968, Mirta and her husband, parents of two daughters, Mirta and América Silvia, left for Spain permanently, while Fidelito was sent to study in the Soviet Union. Emilio, a staunch opponent of the Castro regime, collaborated with several Miami newspapers. Mirta, on the other hand, maintained a low profile throughout her life, never appearing in the media or speaking about her past or her relationship with Fidel.
"She never spoke ill or well of Fidel. She never spoke. Even for those of us who knew her past, it was unmentionable, perhaps because she wanted to erase that chapter from her life," a close friend revealed to El Mundo.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mirta Díaz-Balart and Her Relationship with Fidel Castro
In light of the recent passing of Mirta Díaz-Balart, many questions have surfaced regarding her life and her relationship with Fidel Castro. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Who was Mirta Díaz-Balart?
Mirta Díaz-Balart was the first wife of Fidel Castro and the mother of his eldest son. She was born in Havana in 1928 and came from a wealthy political family.
What was the nature of Mirta Díaz-Balart's relationship with Fidel Castro?
Mirta Díaz-Balart and Fidel Castro met while studying at the University of Havana and married in 1948. They divorced in 1955 when Fidel was exiled in Mexico. She retained custody of their only son, Fidelito.
Did Mirta Díaz-Balart remarry after her divorce from Fidel Castro?
Yes, Mirta Díaz-Balart married Emilio Núñez Blanco, a lawyer from a family loyal to Fulgencio Batista, in 1956. They had two daughters and eventually moved to Spain.
How did Mirta Díaz-Balart handle her past and her relationship with Fidel Castro in later years?
Mirta Díaz-Balart maintained a low profile throughout her life, never speaking publicly about her past or her relationship with Fidel Castro. According to friends, she never mentioned Fidel, possibly to erase that chapter from her life.