Antonio Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa is the former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005-2013), the first Latino to hold that office in over 130 years. Born in East Los Angeles to a Mexican immigrant father and California-born mother of Mexican descent, he overcame a childhood marked by poverty and family abandonment to become one of the most influential Latino political leaders in American history. He served as Speaker of the California State Assembly (1998-2000), the first Latino to hold that position. As mayor, he led a dramatic transformation of LA, reducing violent crime by 48%, increasing graduation rates by 60%, and securing $40 billion in transportation investments. He is now running for Governor of California in 2026.

Third-generation American on his mother's side; grandfather immigrated from Mexico in early 20th century. Father Antonio Villar Sr. was a Mexican immigrant who struggled with alcoholism and abandoned the family when Antonio was 5 years old. Mother Natalia Delgado raised four children alone in poverty in City Terrace (East Los Angeles). Young Antonio worked multiple jobs including newspaper delivery and Safeway grocery to help support the family. At 15, he joined a United Farm Workers picket line. At 16, a benign spinal tumor temporarily paralyzed him. Dropped out of high school but returned, inspired by teacher Herman Katz who paid his college exam fees. Married Corina Raigosa in 1987, combining surnames to become Villaraigosa. Divorced in 2007. Remarried to Patricia Govea in 2016.