Joaquín Miguel Elizalde
Joaquín Miguel Elizalde y Díaz was a Filipino diplomat and businessman.
Personal life
Elizalde was born on August 2, 1896, in Manila, the eldest child of José Joaquín Elizalde and Carmen Díaz Moreau. Nicknamed "Mike", his siblings were Juan Miguel, Ángel, Manuel, Federico and Carmen.He was educated at St. Joseph's College, London and Dr. Schmidt's Institute in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Elizalde was married to Elena von Kauffmann in 1924 and had two daughters, Cecilia and Elenita. The couple divorced in 1957.
He later married Susan Magalona, daughter of Philippine senator Enrique Magalona and sister of Filipino actor Pancho Magalona. The couple had two children, Maria Theresa and Juan Miguel.
Business career
In 1936, Elizalde and his brothers established Elizalde & Company, Inc. after acquiring the major businesses of Ynchausti y Compañía, among them Ynchausti Shipping, Tanduay, YCO Paints and Floor Wax, and the Central Azucarera de La Carlota and Central Azucarera de Pilar sugar refineries.Elizalde was the company's first president. After World War II, he decided to focus on his diplomatic career and was succeeded as president of the company by his brother Manolo.
Diplomatic career
Elizalde became an economic adviser to President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937 and 1938. He became a member of the National Economic Council 1937–1941 and 1952 and 1953, and of the Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs in 1936 and 1937. He was also a member of the Council of State 1936 to 1941 and 1952 to 1953 and served as Major of the Cavalry Reserve, Philippine Army.As Resident Commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives
Elizalde was appointed Resident Commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives on September 29, 1938, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Quintin Paredes and served until his resignation on August 9, 1944. He became a member of the war cabinet of President Quezon in 1941.As International Monetary Fund governor
In 1946, he became a member of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund and of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development until 1950 and was the Philippine ambassador to the United States from July 6, 1946, until January 1952.He was the first of only two former US congressmen to later serve as an ambassador from another country.