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Simon Bolivar’s Death: Everything you Need to Know

Simon Bolivar played an important role in the South American independence movement. He even got a country named after him, yes, its Bolivia you got it right.

He lived a short life but very comprehensive. There has been controversy over the cause of his death.

During his short time on earth, he won over the hearts of many Spanish Americans. Most of them wanted him to be their leader, king, dictator while others called him a traitor.

There were assassination attempts against his life that raised even more speculations of his death.

Generation after generation has tried to pinpoint the true cause of his death, the most recent being by the former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

I have put together everything you need to know about Simon Bolivar’s death.

1. The first autopsy showed he had Tuberculosis

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When Simón Bolívar died in December 1830, he was 47 years old. His doctor then believed he had died from tuberculosis. Simon’s lungs had tubercles of different sizes.

Although this confirmed the previous diagnosis, no microscopic examination or tissue culture was performed.

Therefore, for more than two centuries, tuberculosis was believed to be the cause of death to the great man that liberated South America.

In 2010, the University of Maryland School of Medicine took up the case again. They were committed to finding out what exactly killed Simon Bolivar.

The University has always been dedicated to finding out the mysterious diseases of famous historical figures.

It is believed that his parents died of tuberculosis, therefore when he started showing the same symptoms, it was believed to be the same disease.

Bolivar had lost a large amount of weight that at the time of his passing, he weighed a mere 22 kilograms.

2. Further autopsy suspects arsenic intoxication

Dr Auwaerter from John Hopkins Hospital speculated that Simon Bolivar’s death was caused by arsenic contamination.

His toxicology report indicated that his medication might have been contaminated by arsenic substances.

It is believed that Simon Bolivar had malaria attacks during his campaigns in the Andes Mountains. The malarial drugs are said to have been contaminated.

After Bolivar’s death, there were speculations that he had been murdered.

Former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez further speculated that the arsenic substance found were from Colombian assassins that murdered Bolivar.

3. Doctors used modern medicine to determine the real cause of death

Since the first autopsy done on Bolivar’s lungs were found to be inconclusive, modern medicine was employed.

This was done by Dr Auwaerter from John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The then Venezuelan President, Chavez also hired forensic specialists to analyse Simon Bolivar’s bones and teeth.

According to Dr Auwaerter’s diagnostic report, Bolivar’s medical history indicated that he had terrible headaches, the skin darkening, the weight loss, the weakness, the gastrointestinal complaints, arthritis.

These symptoms are however not archetypal to tuberculosis. He had these symptoms before his death ten years later.

Dr Auwaerter believes that other than tuberculosis and arsenic poisoning, Bolivar could have died from other diseases.

4. Bolivar might have poisoned himself

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Unknown to him, Bolivar might have poisoned himself resulting to his early death. Being a famous and revered leader, Bolivar was given special medical attention.

The best treatment for unknown diseases in the 19^th century contained arsenic substances. Most painkillers had arsenic which could be compared to today’s aspirin.

Further analysis indicated that Bolivar may have also ingested the arsenic through the water. During his travel, Bolivar and troop would drink groundwater in Peru and other mountainous areas.

Had the poisoning been detected earlier, the doctors believe that Bolivar would have lived longer.

5. Before his death, Bolivar had survived two assassination attempts

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Another speculation on the death of Simon Bolivar is that he was assassinated. He was loved and hated in equal measure and some that considered him a traitor wanted him dead.

During his active years, Simon liberated South America from centuries of Spanish rule. At the time, his illness was considered to be mysterious.

Some of the symptoms that he showed were similar to that of tuberculosis. Bolivar had lost an immense amount of weight, he coughed and was bed ridden until he passed away.

Bolivar died while he was on his way to Exile in Europe after surviving two attempted assassinations two years earlier. He was expected in France.

The first assassination attempt happened on 25^th September 1828. He escaped with the help of his lover Manuela Saenz.

The assassination attempts were because of Bolivar’s punishment to those that were considered to be conspirators.

6. The Venezuelan President exhumed Bolivar’s body

Simon bolivar was admired by many south American during his liberation campaigns. He won over many hearts and even got a country named after him.

One of the leaders that idolized him was Hugo Chavez, the former Venezuelan president.

He is the most celebrated hero in South America. They named him as the continent’s liberator. His death brought sorrow to many that looked up to him.

Since the cause of his death was inconclusive, the Venezuelan former president, Hugo Chavez wanted to put an end to the numerous conspiracy theories.

His government liaised with a forensic specialist to exhume his body. They got samples of his bones and teeth which underwent DNA, Xray and other tests.

Unfortunately, forensic labs never shared their results. This makes Simon Bolivar’s death even more mysterious. Hugo Chavez was however convinced that Bolivar was assassinated.