Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta (1928–2009) was a Spanish economist, businessman, journalist and politician. He was the

minister of commerce A Commerce minister (sometimes business minister, industry minister, trade minister or international trade minister) is a position in many governments that is responsible for regulating external trade and promoting economic growth (commercial polic ...

between 1974 and 1975 during the Franco era.

Early life and education

Fernández-Cuesta was born in Madrid on 24 May 1928. His parents were Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta, a soldier and journalist, and María Teresa Illana. At the age of four he contracted polio and as a consequence his right arm was left useless for life. His father fought under

General Franco Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter ruled over Spain from 193 ...

as commander of the Moroccan Flag. His paternal uncle, Manuel Fernández-Cuesta, was the founder of the sports newspaper '' Marca''. Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta received a degree in law and economics.

Career

Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta started his career at the Banco Exterior de España. He published articles in the economics section of ''

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

'' between 1963 and 1969. He served as the undersecretary of commerce in 1969 and deputy governor of the

Bank of Spain The Bank of Spain ( es, link=no, Banco de España) is the central bank of Spain. Established in Madrid in 1782 by Charles III of Spain, Charles III, today the bank is a member of the European System of Central Banks and is also Spain's national ...

in 1973. Fernández-Cuesta was appointed deputy minister of commerce, and while he was in office he visited Cuba with the Foreign Minister

Gregorio López-Bravo Gregorio López-Bravo (1972)

Gregorio López-Bra ...

. Fernández-Cuesta was appointed minister of commerce to the

cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...

led by Prime Minister

Carlos Arias Navarro Carlos Arias Navarro, 1st Marquis of Arias-Navarro (11 December 1908 – 27 November 1989) was one of the best-known Spanish politicians during the Francoist regime. Arias Navarro was a moderate leader in the last phase of Francoism and the be ...

in January 1974. He was in office until 5 March 1975. During the period of transition, he regularly published articles in ''ABC'' and was the chief executive officer of its publisher, Prensa Española, between October 1975 and March 1976. He was the president of

Petronor Petróleos del Norte S.A. (Petronor) is a Spanish oil and gas company based in Muskiz, Basque Country. The company was established on 30 November 1968. From 1976 to 1981 its executive manager was Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta. It is owned by Repsol ...

between March 1976 and 1981. In 1981 he became director of the financial section of the Banco Exterior de España and president of the insurance company Hércules Hispano. Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta was part of the campaign for the presidential candidacy of

Real Madrid CF Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (, meaning ''Royal Madrid Football Club''), commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid. Founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn ...

led by

Ramón Mendoza Ramón Mendoza Fontela (18 April 1927 – 4 April 2001) was a Spanish lawyer and businessman who is mostly known for serving as the 13th president of Real Madrid from 24 May 1985 until 26 November 1995. He was born in Madrid, Kingdom of Spain ...

in 1994. Fernández-Cuesta was appointed Real Madrid's vice president for social affairs in February 1995. He resigned from the post November 1995.

Personal life and death

Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta married María Victoria Luca de Tena, daughter of Juan Ignacio, Marquis of Luca de Tena. They had ten children. He died in Madrid on 12 May 2009. A funeral ceremony was held in Madrid on 18 May, and he was buried there.

Awards

Fernández-Cuesta was the recipient of the

Order of Charles III The Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, originally Royal and Much Distinguished Order of Charles III ( es, Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III, originally es, Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III) was establ ...

Order of Civil Merit The Order of Civil Merit ( es, Orden del Mérito Civil) was established by King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1926. The order recognizes "the civic virtue of officers in the service of the Nation, as well as extraordinary service by Spanish and fore ...

and

Order of Isabella the Catholic The Order of Isabella the Catholic ( es, Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order and honor granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to the homeland or the promotion of international relations a ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Fernandez Cuesta, Nemesio 20th-century Spanish businesspeople 20th-century Spanish journalists 21st-century Spanish businesspeople 1928 births 2009 deaths ABC (newspaper) editors Government ministers during the Francoist dictatorship Politicians from Madrid Independent politicians in Spain Spanish bankers Real Madrid CF non-playing staff Order of Civil Merit members Recipients of the Order of Isabella the Catholic