Vilma Espin: Cuban Revolutionary and Wife of Raul Castro Dies at 77

Vilma Espin was a Cuban revolutionary and the wife of Raul Castro. Born on April 7, 1930, in Santiago de Cuba, she studied chemical engineering and was one of the first Cuban women in the field.

She was an underground organizer for the 26th of July Movement against Fulgencio Batista. In 1960 she became president of the Federation of Cuban Women, which she led until her death, and she held a seat on the Communist Party's Central Committee.

She and Raul Castro had four children, including Mariela Castro, a sex education activist. Because Fidel Castro was unmarried for much of his rule, Espin served as Cuba's de facto first lady for decades. She died in Havana on June 18, 2007, at age 77.

Achievements: President of the Federation of Cuban Women (1960-2007).

Birth: April 7, 1930 - Santiago de Cuba.

Profession: Revolutionary and engineer.

Interesting Facts: She was a member of Cuba's Council of State.