Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias died yesterday. He was our friend.

He was President of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Chavez was born on July 28, 1954, in the rural town of Sabaneta in the plains of western Venezuela.

He attended public schools, then entered Venezuelan Military Academy in 1971 as an army cadet.

Before taking office, Chavez was a paratrooper and military-academy history teacher.

Chavez quietly organized a network of dissident soldiers.

On Feb. 4, 1992, a coup against President Carlos Andres Perez was attempted.

The plot failed.

Chavez faced 30 years in prison but the next president pardoned him before trial.

Chavez was elected as a reform candidate on Dec. 6, 1998; he took office Feb. 2, 1999.

"What hurts me most is the poverty," Chavez once said during an interview in 2007.

He oversaw approval of the new constitution that lengthened the presidential term from five years to six.

During his presidency, Chavez forged an alliance with Cuba while increasingly criticizing the U.S.

He survived a failed coup in 2002 as he continued to build power. He was emerging as Western Hemisphere's most vocal leftist leader.

Chavez sent aid to allied countries and built support among poor at home with social programs. He won re-election in 2006 and again in 2012.

Chavez was married and divorced twice.

He had four children and four grandchildren. One daughter, Maria or Rosa, often stood at his side at official events, unofficially filling in as first lady.

"What hurts me most is the poverty that is so prevalent, that's what led me to become a rebel," Chavez said during 2007 interview with The Associated Press.