Carmen Polo with her husband in Burgos

Carmen Polo y Martínez-Valdès (June 11, 1900 - February 6, 1988) was Francisco Franco's wife and a member of the Spanish nobility. She did not play a major role in her husband's regime, except in the election of Carlos Arias Navarro, when Franco was already seriously ill. Nevertheless, she was undoubtedly the most influential woman in the regime. Her constant smile, pearl necklaces, and susceptibility to flattery were famous. She was a willful and outspoken woman, and would at times tell her husband (even in public) "¡tú Paco, cállate!" ("Shut up, Paco!") Image File history File links Franco_and_Polo. ... Image File history File links Franco_and_Polo. ... The cathedral Our Lady of Burgos. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Francisco Franco Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde (pron. ... The Spanish nobility is the system of titles and honours of Spain and of the former kingdoms that constitute it. ... The Spanish Civil War officially ended on 1 April 1939, the day Francisco Franco announced the end of hostilities. ... Carlos Arias Navarro (Madrid 11 December 1908 - 27 November 1989) was one of the best known Spanish politicians during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. ...

Early life

Carmen Polo was born in Oviedo, Asturias. She had two younger sisters, Isabel and Zita, and a brother, Felipe. Her father, Felipe Polo Flores, was a wealthy native of Palencia. Her mother, Ramona Martínez Valdés, was an Asturian of ancient ancestry and conservative ideals. On her deathbed, Ramona placed her children's education and upbringing in the hands of their paternal aunt, Isabel, an Asturian aristocrat who was related by marriage to the counts of Canillejas. Oviedo (Asturian, Uviéu; Latin, Ovetus) is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. ... Capital Oviedo Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 10th  10 604 km²  2,1% Population  â€“ Total (2005)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 13th  1 076 635  2,4%  101,53/km² Demonym  â€“ English  â€“ Asturian  â€“ Spanish  asturian  asturianu  asturiano Statute of Autonomy January 11, 1982 Parliamentary representation  â€“ Congress seats  â€“ Senate seats  8  2... Palencia is a city in the northwest of the Tierra de Campos of central Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. ... Conservatism [derivative of conserve; from Latin conservare, to keep, guard, observe] is a philosophy defined by Edmund Burke as a disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve. Classical conservatism does not readily avail itself to the ideology of objectives. ...

A difficult engagement

Carmen first met Francisco Franco at a romería (a type of Catholic pilgrim festival) in Tarna, shortly after which, in the spring of 1917, he was transferred to a garrison at Oviedo. He was then twenty-five years old, and already a decorated officer. Physically, he was an unimpressive man, and was known as comandantín (diminutive of "commander"). Franco did not appeal to Carmen's father or aunt, who thought a military man would be a poor match for her, and above her station. With characteristic tenacity, she spent two years securing their blessings. The engagement coincided with the outbreak of war in North Africa, and the wedding was repeatedly postponed. Carmen confessed "I wasn't very happy during my engagement (...) The first tears I shed were because of him. During the time he was in Morocco, I was very anxious." As Franco left Oviedo for his second tour of duty in Morocco, the wedding's postponement became the inspiration for a verse of "La Madelón": "... el comandante Franco es un gran militar que aplazó su boda para ir a luchar..." ("...Commander Franco is a great soldier who postponed his wedding to go to war..."). It was two years before Franco returned to Oviedo. When he returned, ready to marry, the death of Rafael de Valenzuela, successor to José Millán Astray as commander of the Spanish Legion, intervened. Franco was offered Valenzuela's command, and promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His ambition was too great to resist the opportunity, and he left for Morocco on July 18, 1923, making this promise to his fiance: "This year we will be married, above all else. If I do not die in combat, I will return to you." Having become Spain's most decorated soldier, Franco was eventually given a leave of forty days, and royal permission to marry. The wedding took place on October 16, 1923, in the church of San Juan el Real de Oviedo. Franco's best man was King Alfonso XIII, represented by General Antonio Losada, military governor of Asturias. Serving as maid of honour was Isabel Pola, Carmen's aunt. The witnesses were the Marquis de la Vega de Anzo, and Franco's brothers, Nicolás and Ramón. Franco did not invite his father, Nicolás Franco, whom he had never forgiven for leaving his mother and living in Madrid with another woman. For albums named Pilgrim, see Pilgrim (album). ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... A diminutive is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object named, intimacy, or endearment. ...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent. ... José Millán-Astray as a young officer José Millán-Astray y Terreros (July 5, 1879 - January 1, 1954) was the founder and first commander of the Spanish Legion, and a major early figure of Francoist Spain. ... The Spanish Legion (La Legión Española) is a military elite unit of the Spanish Army. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The best man is the name given to the male assistant to the bridegroom at a wedding. ... Alfonso XIII of Spain (May 17, 1886 - February 28, 1941), King of Spain, posthumous son of Alfonso XII of Spain, was proclaimed King at his birth. ... The Maid of Honor (British English: bridesmaid) attends the bride at a wedding or marriage ceremony. ... Ramón Franco (1920s) Ramón Franco y Bahamonde Salgado Pardo de Andrade (1896-October 1938) born in El Ferrol, was a Spanish pioneer of aviation, a political figure and brother of later Generalissimo Francisco Franco. ...

Birth of Nenuca

The honeymoon lasted only a few days. Franco was needed in North Africa, and he did not wish to be accompanied by his wife. This forced separation lasted fifteen months. At age 32, Franco was promoted to full colonel and made official commander of the Legion. He finally established a home, in Melilla, where he moved Carmen. Franco soon rose to the rank of general. This began a new and difficult life for Carmen, who would have to accustom herself to her husband's constant and unpredictable reassignments. They moved from Madrid to Zaragoza, back to Oviedo, to the Canary Islands, and after the Spanish Civil War, to Salamanca and Burgos. "I felt like an authentic nomad", she said on one occasion. In the winter of 1926, Carmen moved from Zaragoza to Oviedo, hoping to bear a son. The Francos had been married three years and had produced no children. This delay, abnormal at that time, gave rise to many rumors. In the end, Carmen gave birth to a daughter, Carmen Franco Polo [1]. In Asturian fashion, she was known by many cryptic nicknames, namely Nenuca, Carmencita, and Morita. Italic textItalic textA honeymoon is the traditional trip taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage, and presumably, consummate it. ... Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Area  â€“ Total    20 km² (8 mi²) Population  â€“ Total (2005)  â€“ Density  65,488  3274. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Zaragoza (sometimes still Saragossa in English; Latin Caesaraugusta) is the capital city of the autonomous region and former kingdom of Aragón in Spain, and is located on the river Ebro, and its tributaries the Huerva and Gállego, near the centre of the region, in a great valley with... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Spanish Civil War (July 18, 1936–April 1, 1939) was a conflict in which the incumbent Second Spanish Republic and political left-wing groups fought against a right-wing nationalist insurrection led by General Francisco Franco, who eventually succeeded in ousting the Republican government and establishing a personal dictatorship. ... Salamanca: Plaza Mayor Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Salamanca Salamanca (population 157,906 (2003)) is a castilian city in central Spain, the capital of the province of Salamanca in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. ... The cathedral Our Lady of Burgos. ... Kazakh nomads in the steppes of the Russian Empire, ca. ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The Civil War and afterward

In July of 1936, Carmen and her daughter fled to Le Havre, France, on the German steamboat Waldi. They traveled under assumed names, fearing that Nenuca might be kidnapped. They waited in Le Havre for Antonio Barroso, who transported them to Bayonne, to the house of his former governess Claverie. At the end of September, Franco sent his cousin and confidant, Salgado-Araujo, to find them. 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Location within France Abbey of Graville, Le Havre An old house in Le Havre Church of St. ... Bayonne. ...

Around this time, Franco began to style himself "Generalissimo" and head of state. Accordingly, Carmen Polo became known as the first lady of Spain. She was generally referred to simply as "La Señora". Her glamorous persona became part of Franco's image. It is rumored that Jose Antonio de Sangróniz, Franco's chief diplomat, was forced to cancel a reception before the Junta de Burgos ("Council of Towns") because Carmen did not have suitable clothes for the occasion. She would never have this problem again. Beginning in 1936, she began to build up a large collection of hats, dresses, and pearl necklaces, the latter becoming her trademark. The jewelers of Madrid, afraid to send invoices to the Generalissimo, agreed to collectively distribute the losses they suffered as a result of Carmen's business. A generalissimo is a commissioned officer of the highest rank; the word is often translated as Supreme Commander or Commander in Chief. It is an Italian superlative substantive, which grammatically would actually be disallowed in Italian (superlatives can be made with adjectives only). ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... First Lady is an unoffical term that is sometimes applied to the female spouse of a male head of state or head of government. ...

First lady

Carmen almost always appeared with her husband. This caused some problems when traveling outside Madrid, since it required that Franco's ministers and advisers also be accompanied by their wives, creating problems with lodging. After the war's end, the question of the head of state's residence presented a problem. Franco was initially inclined to live in the Royal Palace, but was disabused of this notion by Ramón Serrano Súñer. Franco instead chose the Palacio de El Pardo, where he would settle in March of 1940 following its restoration. The Francos passed their summers at a home in Meirás, and fishing on their yacht Azor. The home, which had formerly belonged to Emilia Pardo Bazán, was, according to the official story, bought by "popular subscription" for more than 400,000 pesetas. A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis and especially for tourists. ... Ramón Serrano Súñer (September 12, 1901 – September 1, 2003), was a Spanish politician and creator of the radio station Radio Intercontinental. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... A yacht A yacht was originally defined as a light, fast sailing vessel used to convey important persons. ... Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851-1921) was a Spanish author and scholar. ... The peseta is the former currency of Spain and, (along with the French Franc), of Andorra. ...

Carmen embarked on many foreign trips during her time as first lady. She first traveled to Portugal in 1950, and would return in 1958 and 1967. She traveled to Rome in May of 1950, to witness the canonization of Antonio María Claret. During the visit, she was granted an audience with Pope Pius XII. On none of her trips abroad was she ever accompanied by her husband. 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Area  - City Proper  1285 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,553,873 almost 4,300,000 1. ... Canonization is the process of declaring someone a saint and involves proving that a candidate has lived in such a way that he or she qualifies for this. ... The Venerable Pius XII, born Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Eugenio Pacelli (Rome, March 2, 1876 - October 9, 1958) served as the Pope from March 2, 1939 to 1958. ...

El Prado was the center of Spanish political life under Franco, and also the venue for many of the Franco family's personal events. Protocol was rigorously enforced, and largely dictated by la Señora, through the authority of the Casa Civil. One of the most famous events of the Franco family was the marriage of the younger Carmen to Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú, a son of the counts of Arguillo. In addition to his family's land holdings, he also carried the title of Marquis of Villaverde. This greatly pleased Carmen, who had long held aspirations to the nobility. The union would produce a daughter, Carmen Martínez-Bordíu, the Francos' first grandchild.

Later years

Carmen devoted her later years to her grandchildren. On March 8, 1972, her granddaughter María married Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz, a member of the House of Bourbon. Carmen hoped that this "operation" would lead to her granddaughter becoming queen. In fact, Juan Carlos would ultimately succeed to the throne. By that time, Franco was greatly diminished, both physically and mentally. With Franco's death, the family's fortunes changed dramatically. March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in Leap years). ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... Alfonso de Borbón y de Dampierre (French citizen as Alphonse de Bourbon) (1936–1989), also known as the Duke of Cádiz (as he was mostly called in Spain) and Duke of Anjou, was a pretender to the French throne. ... The House of Bourbon is an important European royal house. ... King Juan Carlos I His Majesty King Juan Carlos I (Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón), styled HM The King (born January 5, 1938), is the reigning King of Spain. ...

In the ensuing years, Carmen witnessed the disintegration of her family. On January 31, 1976, she left El Pardo for the last time. On 1978, Carmencita was arrested at Madrid Barajas International Airport for attempting to smuggle gold, jewelry, and medals which had belonged to her father. María separated from her husband and moved to Paris, where she lived with the antiquarian Jean Marie Rossi. Francisco was convicted in 1979 for the murder of a male cabaret performer in a hotel in Tarragona. On February 7, 1984, Polo suffered her greatest loss, when her great-grandson Francisco ("Fran") [2] was killed at age eleven in a car accident. January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1976 calendar). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... Airport Interior Terminal 4 Satellite Interior of Terminal 4 Entrance to Departures Baggage Belts Upper level to check-in . ... The Eiffel Tower, the international symbol of the city, with the skyscrapers of La Défense business district 3 miles behind. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Tarragona Ampitheatre Tarragona is a city located in the south of Catalonia, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In her final years, Carmen rarely left her house, hearing mass at home. She isolated herself completely, ignoring (and ignored by) the press. She explained "It is necessary to have much Christian resignation, in light of the turmoils of my life." Mass is a property of a physical object that quantifies the amount of matter it contains. ...

External link

• Partial biography (Spanish)