---
title: "Fidel Castro's eldest son commits suicide: Cuba state media"
description: "The eldest son of the late Cuban president Fidel Castro committed suicide on Thursday, state media reported. He was 68 years old."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "AFP"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/afp/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-02-02-fidel-castros-eldest-son-commits-suicide-cuba-state-media/"
published: "2018-02-02T05:11:15"
updated: "2018-02-02T05:11:16"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 134
---

# Fidel Castro's eldest son commits suicide: Cuba state media

> The eldest son of the late Cuban president Fidel Castro committed suicide on Thursday, state media reported. He was 68 years old.

By AFP · Published 2 February 2018, 07:11 SAST · Updated 2 February 2018, 07:11 SAST

## Content

"Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, who had been treated by a group of doctors for several months due to deep depression, took his life this morning," Cuba's official newspaper Granma reported.

"Fidelito" -- as he was known on island nation -- had initially been hospitalized for his condition and then continued with outpatient follow-ups.

Born on September 1, 1949, he was the son of the revolutionary Castro's first marriage to Mirta Diaz-Balart.

A scientist who trained in the former Soviet Union, Fidel Jr helped usher in the development of a nuclear power program in the Communist-ruled country.

At the time of his death he had served as a scientific adviser to the Cuban government and was vice president of the country's Academy of Sciences.

Funeral arrangements will be made by the family, state media said. DM