Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo (/ˈkwoʊmoʊ/ KWOH-moh, Italian: [ˈkwɔːmo]; June 15, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 52nd governor of New York for three terms, from 1983 to 1994. A member of the Democratic Party, Cuomo previously served as the lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 and the secretary of State of New York from 1975 to 1978. He was the father of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and NewsNation anchor Christopher Cuomo.
Mario Cuomo | |
|---|---|
Cuomo in 1987 | |
| 52nd Governor of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1983 – December 31, 1994 | |
| Lieutenant | Alfred DelBello Warren Anderson (acting) Stan Lundine |
| Preceded by | Hugh Carey |
| Succeeded by | George Pataki |
| Lieutenant Governor of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1982 | |
| Governor | Hugh Carey |
| Preceded by | Mary Anne Krupsak |
| Succeeded by | Alfred DelBello |
| 57th Secretary of State of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1978 | |
| Governor | Hugh Carey |
| Preceded by | John Ghezzi |
| Succeeded by | Basil Paterson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mario Matthew Cuomo June 15, 1932 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2015 (aged 82) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. John Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal Party of New York |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Andrew, Margaret, and Christopher |
| Education | St. John's University (BA, LLB) |
| Signature | |
Cuomo was known for his liberal views and public speeches, particularly his keynote speech address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in which he sharply criticized the policies of the Reagan administration, saying, "Mr. President, you ought to know that this nation is more a 'Tale of Two Cities' than it is just a shining 'city on a hill.'" He was widely considered a potential front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president in both 1988 and 1992, though he declined to seek the nomination in both instances. His legacy as a reluctant standard-bearer for the Democrats in presidential elections led to his being dubbed "Hamlet on the Hudson".
Cuomo was defeated for a fourth term as governor by George Pataki in the Republican Revolution of 1994. He subsequently retired from politics and joined the New York law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.