23 Facts About Eusebio Leal

Eusebio Leal served as the municipal historian of Havana, as well as the director of the restoration project of Old Havana.

Eusebio Leal authored books and hosted radio and television programs that recounted the city and its history.

Eusebio Leal was raised by a single mother, who was a washerwoman and cleaner.

Eusebio Leal dropped out of school during grade six in order to support the two of them.

Eusebio Leal studied at the University of Havana, obtaining a master's degree in Latin American, Caribbean, and Cuban studies and a doctorate of historical science from the same institution.

Eusebio Leal succeeded Roig as the city historian of Havana in 1967.

The project took 11 years to complete and, by the end of the 1970s, became the municipal museum with Eusebio Leal selected to be its first director.

Eusebio Leal was able to put his master plan of refurbishing 30 buildings into action with the support of Fidel Castro.

Eusebio Leal realised that the Cuban state could not fund the restoration of Old Havana directly.

Eusebio Leal was accorded unparalleled freedom from government intervention, such as being granted US$1 million in seed money to be used at his own discretion.

Eusebio Leal was allocated a special security force to protect him at historical sites.

Eusebio Leal would greet foreign heads of state at the airport from time to time, and supervise cultural and state events.

Eusebio Leal was a member of the ruling Cuban Communist Party's elite Central Committee and eventually, was regarded as an elder statesman.

Eusebio Leal was president of the Commission of Monuments in the City of Havana and a specialist in Archeological Sciences.

Eusebio Leal served as deputy to the National Assembly, as well as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.

Eusebio Leal established his own radio and television show entitled, "Andar la Habana", in which he chronicled forgotten historical accounts while taking a stroll down the streets of Old Havana.

Eusebio Leal wrote a number of books about Havana, including Desafio de Una Utopia, which explored how Old Havana could be preserved, and La Habana, ciudad antigua.

Eusebio Leal was a close friend of Fidel Castro and his brother Raul.

Eusebio Leal credited his enjoyment of restoring historical structures to his early commitment to the Church.

Eusebio Leal's faith drew the ire of many bureaucrats within the party he saw no disjuncture between religion and revolution, stating in a 2010 interview that "for me they were never incompatible".

Eusebio Leal was 77, and had been suffering from cancer.

Eusebio Leal was promoted to Commander of the Legion of Honour in January 2013, having previously been Knight and Officer of that same order.

Eusebio Leal served as guide to both Felipe and Queen Letizia during their tour of Old Havana.