His childhood

Venezuela's vice president has announced that President Hugo Chávez has died. His illness took a turn for the worse earlier, with reports that he was fighting 'severe infection'. HowzitMSN News put together a look at his life in photos.

Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was born in Sabaneta, Barinas, Venezula, on July 28, 1954. His parents were both teachers and he had one sibling. Due to his family being very poor, he was raised by his grandmother Rosa Inéz.

Young Chávez was an excellent student, keen on baseball and arts. He got his secondary school degree with scientific orientation in Barinas in 1971 and then entered the Military Academy of Venezuela where he progressed until he reached Lieutenant Colonel.