Roberto de la Madrid

Roberto de la Madrid
7th Governor of Baja California
In office November 1, 1977 – October 31, 1983
Preceded by	Milton Castellanos Everardo
Succeeded by	Xicoténcatl Leyva Mortera
Personal details
Born	February 3, 1922 Calexico, California, USA
Died	March 19, 2010 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Political party	Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
Spouse(s)	1. Elena Victoria; 2. Regina Johnson
Profession	Businessperson

Roberto de la Madrid Romandia (February 3, 1922 – March 19, 2010) was a Mexican elected official who served as governor of Baja California from 1977 to 1983. He was the first American-born governor of a Mexican state. He was a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

De la Madrid was born February 3, 1922, in Calexico, California, to Mexican parents. He grew up on both sides of the border, attending schools in Tijuana and San Diego, including Sweetwater High School in National City. His American birth made him an American citizen, but he later became certified as a Mexican citizen. He was bilingual and bicultural, and maintained friendships and business activities on both sides of the border.

He was a distributor for Richfield and Pemex and was active in Mexican political campaigns. He also appeared in the 1959 Dennis Hopper film The Young Land and was listed fifth in the credits; the name of his character was Don Roberto de la Madrid.

In 1973, he was appointed tourism director for the state of Baja California. He later served as one of Baja California's two senators and as director of the national lottery program, appointed by his close friend, President José López Portillo. In 1977, López Portillo chose him to be the PRI candidate for governor of Baja California after the death of the original candidate. His inauguration in 1977 attracted celebrities from both sides of the border including López Portillo, then-San Diego Mayor (later California governor) Pete Wilson, and de la Madrid's longtime friend John Wayne.

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