U.S.-born Baja governor praised for nurturing binational relations

By Blanca Gonzalez, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Monday, April 12, 2010 at 12:05 a.m.

When Roberto de la Madrid was elected governor of Baja California in 1977, he became the first American-born Mexican politician to head a state in Mexico.

Born in Calexico to Mexican parents, he attended San Diego and Baja California schools and became a bilingual, bicultural businessman who was equally at ease on both sides of the border. He was credited with helping foster binational relations, attracting foreign investors and establishing a strong tourism program.

Mr. de la Madrid died of cancer March 19 in Tijuana. He was 88.

Before he was governor, Mr. de la Madrid was a successful district distributor of Richfield and Pemex lubricants who was also an avid tennis player and skilled horseman. He appeared in the 1959 RKO movie “The Young Landâ€