Hugo Chavez was born on July 28, 1954, in Sabaneta, Barinas.
In 1975, Chavez graduated as a sub-lieutenant from the Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences in Caracas and finished his military career in 1991-1992 as the commander of a parachute battalion in Caracas.
From 1989 to 1992, Chavez pursued graduate studies in political science at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas. From 1991 to 1992, Chavez simultaneously received advanced training at the Higher School for the Ground Forces.
On February 4, 1992, he was involved in a failed coup against the administration of President Carlos Andres Perez Rodriguez. Chavez was subsequently arrested and spent over two years in prison. He was pardoned by the administration of President Rafael Caldera Rodriguez, who came to power in 1994.
In 1997, Chavez became leader of the Fifth Republic Movement that headed the Patriotic Pole faction of leftist and centre-left organisations.
On December 6, 1998, Chavez was elected president, promising sweeping social reform and increased state power. After being inaugurated on December 2, 1999, Chavez initiated nationwide political reform, which lead to a new Constitution in the same month.
Under the new Constitution, a special early presidential election was held on July 30, 2000, in which Chavez received 59.04% of votes. In August 2004, Chavez won a nationwide election.
Chavez plays baseball, competing in several state-level professional tournaments in Venezuela from 1976 to 1980.
Chavez is divorced and has four children.