Share

Pancho Villa biography

2 photos

Quick Facts

  • PLACE OF DEATH: Parral, Mexico
more about Pancho

Best Known For

Pancho Villa was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals.

Videos see all videos

watch more videos (1)

Synopsis

José Doroteo Arango Arámbula (born June 5, 1878, in San Juan del Rio), better known by Pancho Villa, was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals. He commanded the División del Norte in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Today his memory is honored by Mexicans and Americans alike.

Contents

Profile

Mexican revolutionary. Born Doroteo Arango on June 5, 1878, in Río Grande, Mexico. Villa helped out on his parents' farm. After his father's death, he became head of the household and shot a man who was harassing one of his sisters. He fled, but was caught and imprisoned. Villa escaped again and later became a bandit.

While living as a fugitive, Villa joined Francisco Madero's successful uprising against the Mexican dictator, Porfirio Díaz. Because of his skills as a fighter and a leader he was made a colonel. Another rebellion removed Madero from power in 1912 and Villa was almost executed for his efforts to defend the former government. He fled to the United States for a time, but he later returned to Mexico and formed his own military force known as Division del Norte (Division of the North). He joined forces with other revolutionaries Venustiano Carranza and Emiliano Zapata to overthrow Victoriano Huerta. The different forces were not wholly successful at working together, and Villa and Carranza became rivals. For a number of years, he was involved in a series of clashes with other Mexican military groups and even fought with U.S. troops from 1916 to 1917. In 1920, Villa reached an agreement with Adolfo de la Huerta, the Mexican leader, which pardoned him for his actions in return for Villa putting an end to his independent military activities. Three years later, he was assassinated on June 20, 1923.

© 2012 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT

GetGlue

9518733 9518733
profile id: 9518733
profile name: Pancho Villa
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9518733
related profile name: Pancho Villa
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/V/Pancho-Villa-9518733-2-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/pancho-villa-9518733
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!