Simon Bolivar was born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela. His family consisted of a large number of wealthy Creoles, or those born in America but of European descent. However, early in his life he faced tragedy when his father died when he was three years old and then his mother soon followed him as he approached the age of just six. Although the death of his parents seemed premature and tragic, but, due to the family's wealth, Bolivar had great access to two very important guardians who would shape his later ideals of independence. The first was Andres Bello, who taught Bolivar science and exposed him to Enlightenment ideas. Next was Simon Rodriguez, a devoted follower of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a philosopher who greatly influenced the French Revolution with his political philosophy. Bolivar was also trained militantly and by the age of fourteen had earned the rank of lieutenant. In 1802, at the age of seventeen, Bolivar married the young daughter of a Spanish nobleman and soon after returned to Caracas. Unfortunately the marriage did not last long, as his wife died a year later of yellow fever. After his death, Bolivar decided he wanted to better himself intellectually and politically, so he returned to Europe only to meet his old guardian Simon Rodriguez. From Paris the two traveled to Rome where they met Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist and explorer who had just returned from five years spent in South America. Discussing his trip, Humboldt told Bolivar: “I believe that your country is ready for its independence. But I can't see the man who is going to make it happen." That said, Bolivar was inspired to be the man Humboldt believed was destined to achieve freedom. After his time in Europe...... middle of paper...... Arequipa, El Cuzco and the provinces of Upper Peru. Here they were placed under his protection and reunited into one nation; which today is modern Bolivia. In July 1827 Bolivar left Caracas for the last time and went to Bogota. On September 10 he took the oath before Congress and became President of the Republic. However, he was afflicted by illness and was forced to give up his presidency. He later died on December 10, 1830. Simon Bolivar not only achieved independence for Venezuela, but accomplished many noble achievements such as helping liberate Ecuador, uniting the nations, and exerting considerable influence in the seal of American freedom in December 1824. His efforts to unify Latin America are still widespread today. Throughout Latin America, he is still considered an icon and a leader of Latin American independence worldwide.