President of Mexico. Born to Zapotec parents in San Pablo Guelatao, Mexico, he was orphaned at the age of three, and given to the care of an uncle. At the age of 12, he went into service in Oaxaca. He was singled out by a Franciscan friar who arranged for him to enter the Santa Cruz seminary. There he learned Spanish and studied law before graduating in 1827. He then attended the Institute of Science and Art and was graduated with a degree in law. Almost immediately he won his first public office, a seat on the municipal council. Known for his honesty, he became a judge in 1841 where he demonstrated liberal, anti-clerical leanings. He was elected governor of Oaxaca in 1847. In 1853, President Santa Anna established a highly conservative government that sent many liberals into exile including Juarez. For over four years he lived in New Orleans, but when Juan Alvarez launched a coup against Santa Anna, Juarez returned to Mexico where Alvarez had made himself president. He named Juarez Minister of Justice. As such, he instituted juridical equality by abolishing special courts for the clergy and military. He passed laws limiting church power, and in 1857 a new constitution was passed, which limited them further. Juarez was then appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. That December, the government was overthrown and Juarez arrested. Eventually released, he found his way to Guanajuato where he cited a legal claim to the presidency, and raised troops against he conservatives in Mexico City. The United States formally recognized the Juarez government in 1859. This turned the tide, and in January 1861, he returned to Mexico City to assume the presidency. Later that year, France sent troops to Mexico ostensibly to collect war debt owed them, when they reached Mexico City in 1863, Juarez and his government were forced to flee. The French installed a puppet leader in the form of Austrian aristocrat, Maximilian, whom they named Emperor of Mexico. Juarez fought the occupation, eventually forcing the emperor to flee Mexico City. Maximilian was captured and executed in 1867, and Juarez was immediately re-elected to the presidency, and again in 1871. He succumbed to a heart attack while at his desk a year later.