Francisco Montes Reina nicknamed Paquiro, was a famous matador

Matador

A torero or toureiro is a bullfighter and the main performer in bullfighting, practised in Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, France and various other countries influenced by Spanish culture. In Spanish, the word torero describes any of the performers who actively participate in the bullfight...

, born in Chiclana, Cádiz Province, Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

.

Intending to become a surgeon, Reina abandoned the plan after losing the sponsorship of a marquis left his father in financial difficulty. Forsaking the family business (masonry), Reina took up bullfighting, initially relying on courage for lack of skill.

Reina remains one of the most famous names in bullfighting history, having codified rules for bullfighting and contriving an order for fights. He also introduced the "Traje de Luz" - the suit that the bullfighters wear to this day.

Circa 1840 in Madrid

Madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...

, Reina was paid in 6,000 Spanish reals for killing five bulls. Two years later, he earned 2,000 per bull. Until retirement in 1848, he was by far the most important bullfighter in Spain. He attempted to return to the ring after retirement, but was could not attain his former grandeur. His last fight was with the bull "Rumbón", July 21, 1850, in Madrid. He died at age forty six in his home town.

There is a museum dedicated to him in his home town of Chiclana de la Frontera, in Cádiz province.

External links

• http://www.portaltaurino.com/matadores/paquiro_1805.htm
• http://www.laplazareal.net/paquirobiografia.htm