1959 - Fidel Castro and his American admirers

When New York went crazy for the Cuban leader

by Chris Wild

Youngsters admire Fidel Castro's beard during a visit to his hotel. The children attended a Queens school with Castro's son. The boy was secretly living In New York while his father led the Cuban revolution. Left to right: Gene Wolf, Kathy Johnston, Kathy Tableman, David Friedlander, Karen Leland and Robert Boyle. IMAGE: GEORGE MATTSON/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGES

When Fidel Castro came to New York in April 1959, it was a mere four months since the 33-year-old had led the successful revolution to overthrow the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Castro had pulled no punches in his anti-America speeches, and he had extensive associations with the political left. Yet the press loved Castro, and it was the American Society of Newspaper Editors who extended an invite for his visit to the U.S.  

Castro seemed almost super-real, like a character from an action movie, in his trademark green army uniform, boots and bushy beard.  Castro certainly did not disappoint his journalistic hosts, regaling reporters with the many tales of his time as a fighter in the Cuban guerilla war.

President Eisenhower had refused to meet Castro — that job was handed down to Vice President Richard Nixon. But Castro took full advantage of his 11-day stay.  He hired a public relations firm, ate hot dogs, kissed ladies like a rock star, and held babies like a politician. He even placed a wreath on George Washington’s grave.

But within a year, Eisenhower had authorized a plan to attack Cuba. With the CIA arming and training Cuban exiles, the attack when it came — the operation known as the Bay of Pigs — was a fiasco. 

Miss Gladys Feijoo, 19, who was nominated Miss La Prensa of 1959, kisses Castro as he signs an autograph for her collection. IMAGE: GEORGE LOCKHART/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro hugs Donna Friedman and Lisa Langer at the Bronx Zoo. IMAGE: HAL MATHEWSON/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro is presented with an invitation to the New York Press Photographer's Ball. IMAGE: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Castro with Dr. Grayson Kirk, president of Columbia University. IMAGE: JOHN DUPREY/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro outside the Statler Hotel. IMAGE: DAN FARRELL/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro waves to crowds on his way to Pennsylvania Station from the Statler Hilton Hotel in New York City, en route to Boston. IMAGE: CARL T. GOSSETT JR/NEW YORK TIMES CO./GETTY IMAGES

Castro waves to crowds outside the Statler Hotel. IMAGE: JOHN DUPREY/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro tosses a peanut to an elephant at the Bronx Zoo. HAL MATHEWSON/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

He is either incredibly naive about communism or under communist discipline. 
My guess is the former.
RICHARD NIXON, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Castro and the eyes of a tiger, at the Bronx Zoo. IMAGE: HAL MATHEWSON/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

IMAGE: MEYER LIEBOWITZ/NEW YORK TIMES CO./GETTY IMAGES

Police and plainclothes detectives ride the miniature railway transporting Fidel Castro during his tour of the Bronx Zoo. IMAGE: OSSIE LEVINESS/NY DAILY NEWS VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro eats an ice cream cone as he rides in the Bronx Zoo train, in New York City. IMAGE: MEYER LIEBOWITZ/GETTY IMAGES

Castro takes a bite out of a hot dog at the Bronx Zoo. IMAGE: HAL MATHEWSON/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro at the United Nation headquarters. IMAGE: AL FENN/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES

The police confront a ring of anti-Castro Cubans at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue. They were among spectators who launched a fusillade of eggs when Castro supporters showed up in red shirts for the fifth annual United Puerto Rican-Hispanic parade up Fifth Avenue. Fidel's fans were shouting "Viva Castro" and "Down with Yankees." IMAGE: PHIL GREITZER/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Castro talks to reporters about his successful Cuban revolution to oust dictator Batista, at a press conference in his suite at the Hotel New Yorker. IMAGE: I.C. RAPOPORT/GETTY IMAGES

Curation: Chris Wild

Chris Wild is the author of "Retronaut: the Photographic Time Machine",
published by National Geographic

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