De La Madrid Hurtado, Miguel (1934- )

Mexican politician, president 1982-88. As minister of planning and budget under José López Portillo, he formulated an economic development plan that sought to use Mexico's oil wealth to promote economic growth. A conservative technocrat who could be trusted to carry on the politics of his predecessor, he was chosen as the candidate of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1981.

Born in Colima, Mexico, he studied law in Mexico City and public administration at Harvard, USA. He became an adviser to the Bank of Mexico, then entered government service in the ministry of finance.