Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's eldest son Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart reportedly committed suicide on Thursday, February 1. Often referred to as Castro Junior or Fidelito, he was 68 and known to be battling depression for a while now.
"Castro Diaz-Balart, who had been attended by a group of doctors for several months due to a state of profound depression, committed suicide this morning," the Cuban government's website Cubadebate said.
Who was Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart?
- The 68-year-old is the eldest son of Castro and often referred to as Castro Jr. and Fidelito.
- He was called Fidelito as he looked very similar to his father. Like his father, he too was tall and kept a beard.
- Fidelito was Castro's only child with former wife Mirta Diaz-Balart.
- He was born in 1949 and studied in the Soviet Union.
- Fidelito initially lived with his mother as a child
- However, when he came to visit his father, Castro never sent him back and Fidelito then went on to live with his father
- He appeared on TV with Castro during an interview with CBS, where the little one was seen showing off his new puppy.
- He went on to become a nuclear physicist.
- He worked as a vice-president to the Cuban Academy of sciences and was also a scientific counsellor to the Cuban Council of State, reported Express UK.
- Fidelito also played a key role in developing Cuba's first nuclear plant. However, the plans did not materialise the USSR stopped sending aid to Havana.
- "During his professional activity, entirely dedicated to science, he earned international and national recognition," Cubadebate added.
- Fidelito was married to María Victoria Barreiro and the couple has three children, according to Newsweek.
- The 68-year-old never held a post under Castro's regime.
- While he earlier maintained a low profile, he came into the public eye after he was named scientific adviser to his uncle Raul Castro in 2008, reported CNN. Raul took over as the president
- Fidelito was then photographed partying with Paris Hilton and Naomi Campbell.
