# Rafael Trujillo

_President of the Dominican Republic (1891-1961)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/rafael-trujillo
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina, nicknamed "El Jefe", was a Dominican military officer and dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic from August 1930 until his assassination in May 1961. He was the country's 36th and 39th president, from 1930 to 1938 and from 1942 to 1952 respectively. He was also the country's first generalissimo, its de facto most powerful position at the time, from 1930 until his assassination. In that position, Trujillo ruled the country under figurehead presidents.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 24 October 1891 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P569))
- **Place of birth:** San Cristóbal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P19))
- **Died:** 30 May 1961 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P570))
- **Place of death:** Haina ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Dominican Republic ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; military officer; dictator ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P106))
- **Political party:** Dominican Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P102))
- **Positions held:** President of the Dominican Republic (18 May 1942 – 16 August 1952); President of the Dominican Republic (16 August 1930 – 16 August 1938); president ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P39))
- **Awards:** Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic‎; Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great; Knight in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour; Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise; commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy‎; Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III; Grand Cross of the Order of the Condor of the Andes; Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross; Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion; Order of Francisco Morazán; Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum; Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474#P166))

## Questions

**When was Rafael Trujillo born?**  
Rafael Trujillo was born on 24 October 1891 in San Cristóbal.

**What positions has Rafael Trujillo held?**  
Positions held by Rafael Trujillo include: President of the Dominican Republic (1942–1952); President of the Dominican Republic (1930–1938); president.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Rafael Trujillo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Trujillo) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q152474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q152474) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Rafael L. Trujillo en la silla presidencial (cropped).jpg by Unknown author. (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rafael_L._Trujillo_en_la_silla_presidencial_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Rafael Trujillo, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Rafael L. Trujillo en la silla presidencial (cropped).jpg — Unknown author., Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Rafael Trujillo". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/rafael-trujillo. Retrieved 15 November 2026.