Nicolás Maduro Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Family, Indictment, Net Worth & Latest Updates
Nicolás Maduro—bus-driver-turned-strongman—has ruled Venezuela since 2013 with increasingly authoritarian grip. On 3 January 2026 his story took a dramatic turn when elite U.S. forces stormed the Miraflores Palace, flew him to New York and unveiled a superseding narco-terrorism indictment that could land him in an American prison for life.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicolás Maduro Moros |
| Profession | Politician / President of Venezuela (2013-2026) |
| Birth Date | 23 November 1962 |
| Age (2026) | 63 years old |
| Birth Place | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Nationality | Venezuelan |
| Known For | Chavismo heir; 2026 U.S. narco-terrorism capture |
| Political Party | United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) |
| Ideology | Socialism, Bolivarianism, Anti-imperialism |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Colombian & Venezuelan descent) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | ≈ 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) * |
| Weight | ≈ 220 lb (100 kg) * |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown (dyed) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | High-school graduate; honorary degree in Labour Law |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | cilia flores (m. 2013) |
| Children | 1 son (Nicolás Maduro Guerra) |
| Net Worth (2026) | ≈ \$2-3 million declared; U.S. claims hidden millions |
| Current Status | In U.S. custody, SDNY indictment |
| Years Active | 1994 – 2026 (political) |
Early Life and Background
Nicolás Maduro was born on November 23, 1962, in Caracas, Venezuela. His father, Nicolás Maduro García, was a trade unionist, and his mother, Teresa de Jesús Moros, was a homemaker. Maduro dropped out of high school and worked as a bus driver before entering politics.
He became involved in leftist movements and joined the Socialist League, later aligning with Hugo Chávez’s Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement.
Political Career
Rise Under Hugo Chávez
Maduro became a key ally of Hugo Chávez, serving in various roles:
- Foreign Minister (2006–2012): Strengthened ties with socialist and anti-U.S. governments.
- Vice President (2012–2013): Appointed by Chávez before his death.
1994-1998 – Chávez Loyalist
- Joined Movimiento Bolivariano Revolucionario 200; campaigned for Chávez’s 1998 election; became body-guard and speech-writer.
1999-2006 – Legislator & Diplomat
- Elected to National Constituent Assembly (1999) and National Assembly (2000).
- Named President of the Assembly (2005-2006) before Chávez tapped him as Foreign Minister.
2006-2013 – Foreign Minister & VP
- 6-year tenure marked by ALBA alliances and anti-U.S. rhetoric.
- 2012: appointed Vice-President; Chávez anointed him successor before dying of cancer in March 2013.
2013-2025 – Presidency & Contested Re-elections
- Won special election April 2013 by < 2%.
- 2014-2017: cracked down on opposition protests; jailed Leopoldo López.
- 2018: re-elected in vote widely condemned as fraudulent.
- 2019: Juan Guaidó declared interim president; U.S. & 50+ countries recognized Guaidó.
- 2020: U.S. indicts Maduro for narco-terrorism; offers $15 million reward.
- 2024: claims third term; opposition candidate Edmundo González asserts victory.
January 2026 – Capture & Extradition
- Elite U.S. operation; flown aboard USS Iwo Jima to New York to face rewritten SDNY indictment adding wife Cilia Flores and son as co-defendants .
Indictment & Charges (SDNY 2026)
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy (≥5 kg)
- Possession of machine-guns & destructive devices
- General conspiracy
Prosecutors allege Maduro partnered with FARC, Sinaloa Cartel, Zetas & Tren de Aragua, accepting multi-ton cocaine shipments and using proceeds to “maintain political power” .
Net Worth & Assets
- Declared salary: minimum-wage Bolívares (~$3/month at black-market rate).
- Investigations: luxury apartments in Caracas & Istanbul, private jet, $2 million wrist-watch collection.
- Estimated net worth 2026: $2-3 million declared; U.S. Treasury claims hidden offshore accounts.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Cigar | Cohiba Behike |
| Baseball team | Leones del Caracas |
| Music | Oscar D’León salsa |
| Food | Pabellón criollo |
| Vacation | Margarita Island |
Quotes
- “I am a worker-president, son of the bus-driver revolution.”
- “Sanctions are a badge of honor on my chest.”
- “They can capture me, but they will never capture the ideas of Chávez.” (aboard USS Iwo Jima, Jan 2026)
Controversies Snapshot
- Maintains close ties with Cuba, Russia, and Iran for political and economic support.
- Accused of human rights abuses and electoral fraud.
- Venezuela’s economy collapsed under his leadership, with millions fleeing the country.
- 2020: $15 million U.S. bounty for narco-terrorism.
- 2018: Alleged drone-assassination attempt.
- 2019: Blocked humanitarian aid at border; soldiers fired on civilians.
- 2026: First sitting Latin-American president extradited to U.S.
Social Media Links
- Twitter / X – suspended Jan 2026
- Instagram – inactive
- Facebook – fan page only
FAQs
Q1: Is Nicolás Maduro still president?
A: De facto rule ended 3 Jan 2026 when U.S. forces captured him; Venezuela’s governance is now uncertain
Q2: What are the charges?
A: Narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, machine-gun possession—carrying potential life sentence
Q3: Where is he now?
A: In federal custody, Southern District of New York, awaiting arraignment
Q4: How much is the U.S. reward?
A: $50 million for information leading to his arrest—doubled in summer 2025 .
Q5: Who is in charge of Venezuela?
A: Unclear; U.S. President Trump says America will “run the country” pending transition
Conclusion
Nicolás Maduro’s journey from Caracas bus lanes to a Manhattan holding cell is one of the most dramatic political downfalls in modern Latin-American history. Whether he negotiates a plea or stands trial, his capture marks a watershed for U.S. drug-enforcement reach and leaves Venezuela confronting an uncertain future.
Share this evolving biography to keep others informed as the courtroom drama unfolds.
