Benjamin Leon
Cuban-American businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamín León Jr. (born December 4, 1944) is a Cuban-American businessman and horse enthusiast who is serving as the United States ambassador to Spain.[3][4] Prior to his nomination, he had donated at least $1 million to Donald Trump.[5]
Benjamin Leon | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| United States Ambassador to Spain | |
| Assumed office February 18, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 4, 1944[1] |
| Citizenship | Cuba • United States |
| Spouse | Mavileibys Campa Felipe [2] |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Businessman • Diplomat |
Early life and career
Benjamin Leon was born in Oriente, Cuba in 1944,[1] and in 1961, he migrated to Miami, Florida.[1][6] He is of Spanish-Canarian descent through his great grandparents who were from the Canary Islands that settled in Cuba.[7] Leon's father founded Clinica Cuba in 1964 in order to help meet the healthcare needs of newly immigrated Cubans.[1] Leon and his father Leon Sr. also founded Clínica Asociación Cubana (CAC), one of the first health maintenance organizations in the United States.[8] In 1994, Leon sold CAC to UnitedHealthCare for $500 million.[8] In 1996, Leon founded Leon Medical Centers, which provides healthcare to Medicare patients.[9] Leon Medical Centers is currently led by Leon's son, Benjamin Leon III, who serves as the company's CEO.[10]
Besilu Stables
In the 1980s, Leon established Besilu Stables, and began to show and breed Paso Fino horses.[6] In 2008, Leon bought his first Thoroughbred, and soon after started racing horses.[6] In 2011, Leon bought Royal Delta for $8.5 million. She would win the Eclipse Award for American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly in 2011 and again in 2012 and 2013 as the American Champion Older Dirt Female Horse.[8]
Political activity and philanthropy
In 2008, Leon donated $10 million to establish the Florida International University Family Center for Geriatrics Research and Education.[11]
In 2015, Leon donated $2.5 million to the presidential campaign of Marco Rubio.[12] Leon has also donated to the Republican Party of Kentucky and Mitch McConnell.[13]
In 2025, Leon was one of the donors who funded the White House's East Wing demolition, and planned building of a ballroom.[14]