# Ramon Magsaysay

_President of the Philippines from 1953 to 1957_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/ramon-magsaysay
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr. was a Filipino politician and military officer who was the seventh president of the Philippines, serving from 1953 until his death in 1957. An automobile mechanic by profession, Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales after serving as a guerrilla leader during the Pacific War. He then served two terms as Liberal Party congressman for Zambales's at-large district before being appointed Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino. He was eventually elected as president under the banner of the Nacionalista Party, the youngest to be elected to the position, and second youngest overall. He was the first Philippine president born in the 20th century and the first to be born after the Spanish colonial era. Magsaysay died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957, in Cebu. His successor, Carlos P. Garcia, assumed the presidency. He is the most recent Philippine president to have died in office.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 31 August 1907 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Iba ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P19))
- **Died:** 17 March 1957 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P570))
- **Place of death:** Mount Manunggal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Philippines ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; engineer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P106))
- **Political party:** Nacionalista Party (since 1953); Liberal Party of the Philippines (1946–1953) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P102))
- **Education:** José Rizal University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P69))
- **Spouse:** Luz Magsaysay ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P26))
- **Positions held:** Secretary of National Defense (1 January 1954 – 14 May 1954); President of the Philippines (30 December 1953 – 17 March 1957); member of the House of Representatives (28 May 1946 – 1 September 1950) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour (Philippines); Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Heart; Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096#P166))

## Questions

**When was Ramon Magsaysay born?**  
Ramon Magsaysay was born on 31 August 1907 in Iba.

**What positions has Ramon Magsaysay held?**  
Positions held by Ramon Magsaysay include: Secretary of National Defense (1954–1954); President of the Philippines (1953–1957); member of the House of Representatives (1946–1950).

**Where did Ramon Magsaysay study?**  
Ramon Magsaysay was educated at José Rizal University.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Ramon Magsaysay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Magsaysay) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q117096](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117096) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Ramon-Magsaysay-01.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ramon-Magsaysay-01.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Ramon Magsaysay, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Ramon-Magsaysay-01.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Ramon Magsaysay". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/ramon-magsaysay. Retrieved 6 November 2026.