Pablo Neruda: A Life on the Front Line
Pablo Neruda, originally named Ricardo Eliezer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, was born on July 12, 1904, in Parral, Chile. He chose his pen name to honor Czech author Jan Neruda. At the age of 16, with encouragement from teacher Gabriela Mistral, he began publishing poetry. His notable early works include Crepusculario (1923) and Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada (1924). Throughout his career, he held the position of honorary consul in locations such as Burma, Buenos Aires, Spain, and Mexico City. After the early death of his daughter Malva, he formed a significant relationship with Delia del Carril, who shaped his Marxist views. He supported presidents González Videla and Allende, faced exile in 1948, and opposed U.S. involvement during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on September 2, 1971, and passed away on September 23, 1973, likely due to assassination.
Key facts
- Pablo Neruda was born July 12, 1904 in Parral, Chile.
- His real name was Ricardo Eliezer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto.
- He adopted the pseudonym Neruda in homage to Jan Neruda.
- He was encouraged by teacher Gabriela Mistral, later a Nobel laureate.
- He published Crepusculario (1923) and Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada (1924).
- He served as honorary consul in Burma, Buenos Aires, Spain, and Mexico City.
- He married Maryka Hagenaar Vogelzang; their daughter Malva Marina died young.
- He had a relationship with Delia del Carril, who influenced his Marxism.
- He was exiled after opposing President González Videla's dictatorship.
- He returned in 1952 to support Salvador Allende's campaign.
- He opposed US in Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War.
- He declined presidential candidacy in 1970, supporting Allende.
- He won the Nobel Prize in Literature on September 2, 1971.
- He witnessed Pinochet's coup on September 11, 1973.
- He died on September 23, 1973 in Santiago, likely assassinated.
- His death was officially attributed to prostate cancer.
Entities
Artists
- Pablo Neruda
- Ricardo Eliezer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto
- Jan Neruda
- Gabriela Mistral
- Maryka Hagenaar Vogelzang
- Malva Marina Trinidad
- Delia del Carril
- Federico García Lorca
- Gabriel González Videla
- Salvador Allende
- Miguel Ángel Asturias
- Augusto Pinochet
- Alessia Sanzogni
Institutions
- Artspecialday
- MIfacciodiCultura
Locations
- Parral
- Chile
- Burma
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
- Spain
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Cuba
- Vietnam
- Santiago
- Santiago del Cile