Agustín Gamarra Net Worth

Background and career

Agustín Gamarra Messia (27 August 1785 – 18 November 1841) was a Peruvian soldier and politician, who served twice as President of Peru, first from 1829-1833, and then again from 1838 until his death in 1841.

Gamarra was a Mestizo, being of mixed Spanish and Quechua descent. He had a military life since childhood, battling against the royalist forces. He then joined the cause of Independence as second in command after Andrés de Santa Cruz. He also participated in the Battle of Ayacucho, and was later named Chief of State. In 1825, he married Francisca ('Pancha') Zubiaga y Bernales, who Simon Bolivar crowned when she was about to put the crown on him. After the invasion of Bolivia in 1828, he was named a mariscal (marshal), a highly esteemed military officer.

After the defeat of José de La Mar in Gran Colombia, Gamarra urged his overthrow and assumed the presidency for a brief period after Antonio Gutiérrez de la Fuente. The peace treaty with Gran Colombia was also signed during Gamarra's government. He was a supporter of protectionism. Although the Cuzco council supported the Gamarrista line of protectionism, it frequently clashed with Gamarra himself.

Gamarra was killed in battle during a failed invasion of Bolivia, leading to the period known as the Military Anarchy. Several magistrates and dictators fought for power until 1845, when order was restored by President Ramón Castilla. The presidency was officially vacant during this time.