Meet the Diaz-Balarts

THEY’re called the “Cuban Kennedys,” and the appellation is inevitable. The family is big, influential, and sort of glamorous. They were political leaders first in Cuba and then in Miami. The sons, in fact, are princes of Miami, although no scandals attach to them. In this sense they’re not very Kennedyesque, which is just the way the family would want it. The Diaz-Balarts are strong Republicans.

Two of the boys are in Congress: Lincoln Diaz-Balart, elected in 1992, and Mario Diaz-Balart, elected just last November. Another son is José Diaz-Balart, a television anchorman. He used to work on the CBS morning show, and is now a star of Telemundo. The fourth son—although the firstborn, actually—is Rafael Diaz-Balart, an investment banker in Miami.

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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THEY’re called the “Cuban Kennedys,” and the appellation is inevitable. The family is big, influential, and sort of glamorous. They were political leaders first in Cuba and then in Miami. The sons, in fact, are princes of Miami, although no scandals attach to them. In this sense they’re not very Kennedyesque, which is just the way the family would want it. The Diaz-Balarts are strong Republicans.

Two of the boys are in Congress: Lincoln Diaz-Balart, elected in 1992, and Mario Diaz-Balart, elected just last November. Another son is José Diaz-Balart, a television anchorman. He used to work on the CBS morning show, and is now a star of Telemundo. The fourth son—although the firstborn, actually—is Rafael Diaz-Balart, an investment banker in Miami.