# José María Velasco Ibarra

> President of Ecuador (1934 - 1935) / (1944 - 1947) / (1952 - 1956) / (1960 - 1961) / (1968 - 1972)

**Wikidata**: [Q707171](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707171)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_María_Velasco_Ibarra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jose-maria-velasco-ibarra

## Summary

José María Velasco Ibarra was an Ecuadorian politician, lawyer, and professor who served as President of Ecuador five separate times across four decades (1934-1935, 1944-1947, 1952-1956, 1960-1961, and 1968-1972). He is one of the most prominent figures in Ecuadorian political history, known for his populist leadership style and repeated electoral success despite facing numerous coups and political interruptions. His legacy is so significant that the city of Velasco Ibarra in Guayas Province and José María Velasco Ibarra Airport in Ecuador were named in his honor.

## Biography

- **Born:** March 19, 1893
- **Died:** March 30, 1979
- **Nationality:** Ecuadorian
- **Education:** Studied at the Central University of Ecuador (founded 1620 by Philip IV of Spain, located in Quito at coordinates latitude -0.1998 and longitude -78.5056)
- **Known for:** Serving as President of Ecuador for five non-consecutive terms; being one of the most politically influential figures in 20th-century Ecuador
- **Employer(s):** Central University of Ecuador (as professor); various government positions
- **Field(s):** Politics, Law, Academia

## Contributions

José María Velasco Ibarra's political career spanned several decades of Ecuadorian history. He was elected President of Ecuador five times:

1. **First Term (1934-1935):** His initial presidential term, which was interrupted by political upheaval
2. **Second Term (1944-1947):** Returned to office during a period of significant political transition
3. **Third Term (1952-1956):** Another electoral victory marking his continued popular support
4. **Fourth Term (1960-1961):** Demonstrating his enduring political relevance
5. **Fifth Term (1968-1972):** His final presidential term

His career exemplifies the turbulent political landscape of mid-20th century Ecuador, where presidents frequently faced removal through coups or political maneuvering despite electoral mandates.

## FAQs

**How many times was José María Velasco Ibarra elected President of Ecuador?**
José María Velasco Ibarra was elected President of Ecuador five separate times: 1934-1935, 1944-1947, 1952-1956, 1960-1961, and 1968-1972.

**What was José María Velasco Ibarra's professional background?**
Beyond politics, Velasco Ibarra was a lawyer and professor, educated at the Central University of Ecuador, one of the oldest universities in the Americas founded in 1620.

**What is named after José María Velasco Ibarra?**
The city of Velasco Ibarra in Guayas Province, Ecuador (established May 27, 1961), and José María Velasco Ibarra Airport in Ecuador bear his name, honoring his significant contributions to Ecuadorian politics.

**What awards or honors did José María Velasco Ibarra receive?**
He received the National Order of San Lorenzo, an Ecuadorian honor established on August 17, 1809.

**What was Velasco Ibarra's connection to the Central University of Ecuador?**
He was educated at the Central University of Ecuador and later served as a professor at this prestigious institution, which is located in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

## Why They Matter

José María Velasco Ibarra matters in Ecuadorian history for several fundamental reasons. First, his five non-consecutive presidential terms represent an extraordinary phenomenon in Latin American politics, demonstrating remarkable popular support despite repeated political interruptions. His ability to return to power repeatedly speaks to his deep connection with the Ecuadorian electorate and his understanding of the nation's political pulse.

His career also reflects the broader challenges of democratic governance in mid-20th century Latin America, where elected leaders frequently faced military coups or political removals. Velasco Ibarra's persistence in returning to political prominence despite these obstacles made him a symbol of political resilience.

The naming of both a city and an airport after him in Ecuador demonstrates the lasting recognition of his contributions to the nation. The city of Velasco Ibarra, located in Guayas Province, serves as a permanent geographical reminder of his legacy.

## Notable For

- Five non-consecutive terms as President of Ecuador (1934-1935, 1944-1947, 1952-1956, 1960-1961, 1968-1972)
- Being one of the most frequently elected presidents in Ecuadorian history
- Having a city (Velasco Ibarra, Guayas Province, established 1961) named in his honor
- Having José María Velasco Ibarra Airport named after him
- Receiving the National Order of San Lorenzo
- Background as both a lawyer and university professor
- Central University of Ecuador alumnus

## Body

### Early Life and Education

José María Velasco Ibarra was born on March 19, 1893. He pursued higher education at the Central University of Ecuador, one of the oldest universities in the Americas, founded in 1620 by Philip IV of Spain. The Central University of Ecuador, located in Quito at coordinates -0.1998° S latitude and -78.5056° W longitude, is a prestigious public institution that played a significant role in shaping Ecuador's intellectual and political leadership.

### Academic and Professional Career

Beyond his political career, Velasco Ibarra worked as a professor, contributing to Ecuador's educational development. His background in law provided the foundation for his political philosophy and governance approach. The Central University of Ecuador, his alma mater, holds the distinction of being classified both as a traditional university and as an open-access publisher, with extensive international recognition including VIAF ID 155378120 and ROR ID 010n0x685.

### Presidential Terms

Velasco Ibarra's political career was defined by his five separate presidential terms, a record in Ecuadorian history:

**First Term (1934-1935):** His initial presidency established his political identity and populist approach to governance.

**Second Term (1944-1947):** This period came during a transformative era in Ecuadorian politics, following significant political changes in the country.

**Third Term (1952-1956):** Demonstrating continued popular support, Velasco Ibarra was again elected to lead the nation.

**Fourth Term (1960-1961):** His return to power reflected his enduring political relevance and voter support.

**Fifth Term (1968-1972):** His final presidential term marked the culmination of a remarkable political career spanning four decades.

### Honors and Legacy

The legacy of José María Velasco Ibarra is commemorated through several permanent tributes:

- **Velasco Ibarra:** A city in Guayas Province, Ecuador, established on May 27, 1961, named in his honor
- **José María Velasco Ibarra Airport:** An airport in Ecuador bearing his name
- **National Order of San Lorenzo:** He received this prestigious Ecuadorian honor, which was established on August 17, 1809

### Historical Context

Velasco Ibarra's political career unfolded against the backdrop of Ecuador's complex history. Ecuador, officially the República del Ecuador, declared independence on August 10, 1809, with international recognition coming on February 16, 1840. The country, named after the equator that runs through it, has experienced numerous political transitions throughout its history, including periods as part of Gran Colombia (1822-1830) and the Republic of Quito (1811-1812).

### Personal Data

According to available records, José María Velasco Ibarra passed away on March 30, 1979. His life spanned nearly the entire 20th century, witnessing significant transformations in Ecuador and Latin America. His combination of academic training as a lawyer and his populist political approach made him a unique figure in Ecuadorian history, capable of connecting with diverse segments of the population while facing the frequent political instability that characterized the era.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. BnF authorities
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://www.boe.es/datos/pdfs/BOE//1955/057/A01271-01271.pdf)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. Find a Grave
9. Encyclopædia Universalis
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Munzinger Personen
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. National Archives Identifier
14. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File