Benjamin León, Jr., an esteemed Cuban-American entrepreneur and philanthropist from Miami, has been recently nominated to represent the US interests in Spain. President-elect Donald Trump chose him as the United States Ambassador, recognizing León’s lifelong contributions to business, community service, and philanthropy.
A Distinguished Career in Healthcare and Philanthropy
León, 80, founded Leon Medical Centers, a healthcare organization in Miami-Dade County. The organization currently employs over 2,500 professionals across eight state-of-the-art facilities. Born in Oriente, Cuba, in 1944, León immigrated to the US in 1961. Since then, he has lived in Miami, where his father established Clinica Cuba to serve the growing Cuban population.
León and his father pioneered many healthcare innovations, securing Florida’s first HMO license. In 1994, they sold their HMO to UnitedHealthcare for $500 million. León’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the foundation of Leon Medical Centers in 1996.
Beyond his entrepreneurial success, León has been a prominent supporter of educational and medical causes. His family’s philanthropy includes a $10 million donation to Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in 2008, followed by a $5 million donation to Miami Dade College to establish the Benjamin León School of Nursing. The most recent contribution from his family is in 2023, a sum of $10 million to fuel FIU’s CasaCuba project to celebrate Cuban heritage.
Community Leader
León’s generosity extends to numerous charitable organizations. Marilyn Borroto, co-chair of the “Conga the Night Away for the Sunshine Kids Foundation” event, highlighted his impactful support: “He was our best partner; he gave us $20,000,” said Marilyn Borroto, the event’s co-chair. “He is a very successful businessman and very generous, too. He contributes a lot to charities. He was there that night with his wife, and all of his family. I’m very proud he will be the ambassador to Spain. He’s one of us. He’s Cuban! I think he will represent us well.”
In a Truth Social post, President-elect Trump appreciated León’s dedication to philanthropy, noting his support for organizations like La Liga Contra el Cancer and leading medical research institutions such as Johns Hopkins and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Trump also lauded León as “a highly successful entrepreneur, equestrian, and philanthropist.”
A Life of Hard Work
After migrating to the US as a teenager with only five dollars in his pocket, León worked various jobs, such as delivering newspapers, washing dishes, and stocking grocery shelves, to support his family. These jobs fortified his work ethic, leading to a successful career in the healthcare industry and some scaling ventures into equestrian pursuits, including founding Besilu Stables in 1982. León’s passion for horses earned him recognition within the equestrian community, with many of his horses winning prestigious awards.
A Legacy of Leadership
León’s nomination is part of President-elect Trump’s broader vision. He wants to appoint ambassadors with strong ties to Florida, and León has recently joined this cohort that includes Mike Huckabee (Israel), Kimberly Guilfoyle (Greece), and Dan Newlin (Colombia). These strategic nominations reflect Florida’s significance in US international relations.
Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College, expressed her confidence in León’s ability to excel in this new role. She remarked, “Like my parents, he came to this great country from Cuba in search of freedom and opportunity and has dedicated his life to giving back. His leadership and generosity, exemplified through his transformative support of our Benjamin León School of Nursing, have changed countless lives. I have no doubt he will serve President (Trump) with the same dedication, vision, and compassion that have defined his lifelong commitment to service.”
From Miami to Madrid
If confirmed, León will succeed Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón, the most recent US Ambassador to Spain, who was known for advocating American business interests and promoting historic levels of Spanish investment in the US.
León’s extensive experience in healthcare, philanthropy, and community engagement makes him the perfect nomination for this position, building on these successes and strengthening US-Spain relations.
