Antonio Ortiz Mena
| Antonio Ortiz Mena | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| President of the Inter-American Development Bank | |
|
In office 1971–1988 |
|
| Preceded by | Felipe Herrera |
| Succeeded by | Enrique V. Iglesias |
| Secretary of Finance (Mexico) | |
|
In office 1 December 1958 – August 1970 |
|
| President | Adolfo López Mateos and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz |
| Preceded by | Antonio Carrillo Flores |
| Succeeded by | Hugo B. Margáin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
16 April 1907 Parral, Chihuahua |
| Died | 12 March 2007 (aged 99) Mexico City |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Political party | Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Salinas |
| Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) |
Antonio Ortiz Mena (16 April 1907 – 12 March 2007) was a Mexican economist who served as President of the Inter-American Development Bank (1971–1988) and as Mexico's Secretary of Finance during the administrations of Adolfo López Mateos and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (1958–1970).
According to Pedro Aspe —who served as Secretary of Finance almost two decades later— during Ortiz' tenure Mexico's per-capita income grew 3.4 percent annually for twelve years and economic growth averaged six percent a year; inflation often remained below three percent, and millions entered the middle class as the country began its transformation from a largely rural economy to an industrial one.
Ortiz was born in Parral, Chihuahua, and overtook his basic studies at the Colegio Alemán, Colegio Franco-Inglés, and at the National Preparatory School of the Mexican capital. He later entered the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM, 1925–1928) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Law.
From 1932 to 1936 he held minor posts at the now-defunct Department of the Federal District, and later on he gained some experience in banking while working as an assistant to the director of the National Urban Mortgage Bank (1936–1945) and as deputy director of the National Mortgage Bank (1946–1952). President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines appointed him director-general of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) serving from 1952 to 1958.
From 1958 to 1970 he served as Secretary of Finance and Public Credit for a twelve-year period of sustained economic growth and development under presidents Adolfo López Mateos and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. At least in two occasions, in 1963 and 1969, he was considered a strong contender to the presidency representing the then-hegemonic Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and even former President Miguel Alemán was among his supporters. Nevertheless, in both episodes he lost the nomination.
...
Wikipedia