Gustavo Petro Net Worth, Family, Wife and Children

Born on April 19, 1960, in Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba, Petro’s early years were marked by the political instability and conflict that gripped Colombia during the 1970s and 1980s.

In his youth, Petro became involved in the 19th of April Movement (M-19), a guerrilla group formed to oppose the government after allegations of election fraud in 1970. While with M-19, Petro adopted the pseudonym Aureliano, inspired by the character from Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming one of its key leaders.

Quick Facts about Gustavo Petro 

Full Name: Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego
Date of Birth: April 19, 1960
Age: 64 years old (as of 2024)
Nationality: Colombian (also holds Italian citizenship due to his great-grandfather’s migration from Italy)
Ethnicity: Colombian with Italian heritage (due to his great-grandfather)
Profession: Politician, Economist, Former Guerrilla Fighter
Political Affiliation: Left-wing, leader of the Colombia Humana coalition
Position: President of Colombia (since August 7, 2022)
Spouse: Verónica Alcocer (married in 2003)
Children: Five children: Nicolás, Andreá, Andrés, Sofía, and Antonella
Education: Degree in Economics from Universidad Externado de Colombia

Gustavo Petro Early Life and Family

Gustavo Petro was born in 1960 in Ciénaga de Oro, located in the department of Córdoba, Colombia. His roots trace back to Southern Italy, as his great-grandfather, Francesco Petro, emigrated to Colombia in 1870, which is why Petro holds Italian citizenship.

Raised in a Catholic household, Petro grew up with strong religious influences, particularly from liberation theology, which emphasizes God’s role in freeing the oppressed. However, as he grew older, Petro began questioning his religious beliefs, including the existence of God.

In the 1970s, seeking a better life, Petro’s family moved to Zipaquirá, a town just north of Bogotá. It was here that Petro began to develop his political and social views, marking the start of his journey toward becoming a prominent figure in Colombia's political landscape.

Gustavo Petro Wife and Children

Gustavo Petro has been married three times and has five children.His first wife was Katia Burgos, a childhood sweetheart. They got married when he was 26 and had a son, Nicolás Petro.After Petro went into hiding, he began a relationship with Mary Luz Herrán. They had two children together, Andreá and Andrés, and stayed together for over 15 years before they parted ways.

In the early 2000s, Petro met his current wife, Verónica Alcocer, at a conference. They married in 2003 and have two daughters, Sofía and Antonella. In 2022, he also adopted Verónica’s son, Nicolás, after the child’s biological father passed away.

Altogether, Petro has five children: Nicolás, Andreá, Andrés, Sofía, and Antonella. His son Nicolás was arrested in 2023 on charges of money laundering, which brought a lot of attention and controversy to the family.

Gustavo Petro Net Worth

Gustavo Petro's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million as of 2025. He earn  approximately $13,000 USD per month as a salary. As the President of Colombia, Petro holds a high-ranking governmental position that provides significant earnings through his salary and benefits. He has served in various political roles, including as a member of the Chamber of Represent.Petro has written books that discuss politics, economics, and his personal experiences, which have likely contributed to his wealth.

Gustavo Petro Career

Gustavo Petro’s early life was marked by his involvement in Colombia’s tumultuous political landscape, particularly through his membership in the 19th of April Movement (M-19), a guerrilla group that rose up in opposition to the government after allegations of election fraud in 1970. Petro, who joined M-19 at age 17, used the pseudonym Aureliano, inspired by a character from One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Petro’s leadership within M-19 grew, and by the early 1980s, he was taking on roles such as ombudsman in Zipaquirá and councilman. However, the group became notorious for its involvement in violent acts, including the infamous 1985 attack on the Palace of Justice, which resulted in the deaths of 13 Colombian politicians. Despite this, Petro led efforts to address social issues like the forced displacement of poor families by paramilitary groups, including the creation of the Bolívar 83 neighborhood.

In 1985, Petro was arrested by the army and tortured for ten days before being sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegal possession of arms. His time in prison marked a pivotal shift in his ideology, leading him to abandon armed struggle in favor of political negotiations. Petro played a significant role in the M-19’s eventual peace talks with the Colombian government, which culminated in the group's demobilization in 1990.

Following the demobilization, Petro transitioned into politics, becoming part of the M-19 Democratic Alliance, which won several seats in Colombia’s legislative branch. Over the years, Petro’s career evolved as he founded the Vía Alterna movement, was elected to the Senate in 2006, and played a key role in exposing corruption scandals.

Petro’s political vision emphasized progressive policies such as universal healthcare, public banking, and clean energy. His path to the presidency saw him run for office multiple times, and he eventually succeeded in 2022. As Colombia’s first left-wing president, Petro has focused on peace negotiations, environmental protection, and addressing social inequalities.