# Antonio Tejero

> Spanish Lieutenant-Colonel (1932–2026)

**Wikidata**: [Q312749](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312749)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Tejero)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/antonio-tejero

## Summary
Antonio Tejero was a Spanish Lieutenant-Colonel best known for his role in the 1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt, a failed effort to overthrow the democratic government of Spain. His actions marked a pivotal moment in Spain's transition to democracy following the Francoist era.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1932 (exact place not specified)
- **Died:** 2026
- **Nationality:** Spanish
- **Education:** Affiliated with the General Military Academy (military training center for Spanish Army and Civil Guard officers)
- **Known for:** Leading the 1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt
- **Employer(s):** Spanish Army (Lieutenant-Colonel)
- **Field(s):** Military

## Contributions
Antonio Tejero is primarily known for his involvement in the **1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt**, where he led a group of Civil Guard officers in storming the Spanish Congress of Deputies on February 23, 1981. The coup failed, but the event became a defining moment in Spain's democratic transition, reinforcing the stability of the newly established constitutional monarchy under King Juan Carlos I.

## FAQs
**What was Antonio Tejero's role in the 1981 Spanish coup attempt?**
Antonio Tejero was the leading figure in the attempted coup, where he and a group of Civil Guard officers stormed the Spanish Parliament, taking lawmakers hostage. The coup collapsed within hours, but it remains one of the most dramatic events in modern Spanish history.

**Where did Antonio Tejero receive his military training?**
He was affiliated with the **General Military Academy**, the primary training institution for officers in the Spanish Army and Civil Guard.

**Was Antonio Tejero involved in any political movements after the coup?**
After the failed coup, Tejero was linked to **Spanish Solidarity**, a far-right political party founded in 1982, though his direct involvement in its activities is not detailed in the source material.

## Why They Matter
Antonio Tejero's actions during the 1981 coup attempt were a critical test for Spain's young democracy. The failure of the coup demonstrated the resilience of democratic institutions and the monarchy's commitment to constitutional rule. His role serves as a historical reminder of the fragility of democratic transitions and the enduring tensions between authoritarian and democratic forces in post-Franco Spain.

## Notable For
- Leading the **1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt**, one of the most significant political crises in modern Spanish history.
- Being a high-ranking military officer (Lieutenant-Colonel) in the Spanish Army.
- Affiliation with the **General Military Academy**, a key institution in Spanish military training.
- Association with **Spanish Solidarity**, a far-right political party formed after the coup.

## Body
### Early Life and Military Career
Antonio Tejero was born in **1932** in Spain. He pursued a military career, training at the **General Military Academy**, the premier institution for officer training in the Spanish Army and Civil Guard. By the 1970s, he had risen to the rank of **Lieutenant-Colonel**, serving during a period of significant political upheaval as Spain transitioned from Francisco Franco's dictatorship to democracy.

### The 1981 Coup Attempt
On **February 23, 1981**, Tejero led a group of **Civil Guard officers** in storming the **Spanish Congress of Deputies** during a vote to confirm Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo as Prime Minister. The coup attempt involved taking lawmakers hostage at gunpoint, broadcasting the event live on national television. The intervention of **King Juan Carlos I**, who publicly condemned the coup and reaffirmed his support for democracy, played a decisive role in its failure. The coup collapsed within **18 hours**, and Tejero was arrested.

### Aftermath and Political Affiliations
Following the failed coup, Tejero was court-martialed and sentenced to **30 years in prison**, though he was released early in **1996** due to legal reforms. After his release, he was associated with **Spanish Solidarity (Solidaridad Española)**, a far-right political party founded in **August 1982**, which advocated for nationalist and authoritarian policies. However, his direct involvement in the party's activities remains unclear.

### Legacy
Tejero's actions in **1981** became a symbol of the challenges faced by Spain's democratic transition. While the coup failed, it exposed lingering divisions within the military and society, reinforcing the need for democratic consolidation. His name remains synonymous with one of the most dramatic moments in modern Spanish political history.

### Death
Antonio Tejero died in **2026**, leaving behind a controversial legacy as both a symbol of authoritarian resistance and a cautionary figure in Spain's democratic evolution.

## References

1. [Xàtiva acoge el velatorio de Antonio Tejero. 2026](https://valencia.elperiodicodeaqui.com/epda-noticias/xativa-acoge-el-velatorio-de-antonio-tejero/100006262)
2. [Muere a los 93 años Antonio Tejero, el teniente coronel que protagonizó el intento de golpe de Estado del 23-F. 2026](https://elpais.com/espana/2026-02-25/muere-a-los-93-anos-antonio-tejero-el-teniente-coronel-que-protagonizo-el-intento-de-golpe-de-estado-del-23-f.html)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://www.vozpopuli.com/dolcevita/asi-era-antonio-tejero-autor-de-23-f-su-mujer-sus-seis-hijos-y-a-lo-que-se-dedican-uno-es-cura-y-sus-16-nietos.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013