Mario Cuomo was born to Andrea and Immaculata Cuomo on June 15th, 1932,in Queens, New York. He was the son of Italian immigrants. In Cuomo'searly years he attended Saint John's University, summa cum laude in1953. He then attended St. John's School of Law, and graduated tied forthe top of his class in 1956. Cuomo became an advisor to Judge AdrianP. Burke that same year and then entered private practice in 1958.Cuomo also was a professor at St. John's law school throughout thesixties, and chaired the University Alumni Federation.

Cuomo was becoming a well known political figure and liberal in thestate of New York about this time. In 1974, Cuomo was the LieutenantGovernor nominee on the Democratic ballot alongside Howard Samuels, buthis ticket lost to the winners of the Democratic Nomination, HughCarey. Governor Hugh Carey was so impressed with Cuomo, Carey appointedhim to Secretary of State.

In 1977 Cuomo ran for Mayor of New York, but lost in the primary to theeventual winner of the race Edward Koch. However Cuomo was elected toLieutenant Governor in 1978. In 1982 Hugh Carey stepped down asGovernor, and Cuomo won the primary over rival Ed Koch, and went on todefeat Republican Louis Lehrman. In his campaign, Cuomo's theme was thetheme from Rocky, and his campaign can be detailed in the book Diariesof Mario M. Cuomo, about his rise to the Governor's office. Cuomoalmost immediately became a national figure in Democratic Politics. Astrong liberal who was against the death penalty, and for effective guncontrol, he was quite the contrast to the strong right values of RonaldReagan.

In 1986 and 1990 Cuomo won the highest Margin ever for re-election to asecond and third four year term. Cuomo became an extremely popularpolitical figure. Cuomo made New York nationally known for progressivelegislation. In his tenure Cuomo improved roads, revitalized educationand infrastructure of New York City. Cuomo also created a largehomeless assistance program, created investment in many high techfacilities, created programs to deal with AIDS and the mentally ill.

Cuomo was a devout Roman Catholic, and while he was opposed to abortionhe felt the state had no right to ban it. As the decade progressedCuomo focused attention on children's issues, and created 300,000 jobsfor New Yorkers, and defied two Republican-led recessions. Mario Cuomoalso created the first major ethics law for public officials and gaveNew York the largest tax cut in the states history.

Cuomo also created the nations first seat belt law. Cuomo alsoappointed all of the judges to the state's court of appeals. To add tohis large list of accomplishments he appointed the firstAfrican-American, Hispanic, and the First two women. Cuomo's strongprogressive record made him a rallying point for liberals all acrossthe nation. He was a favorite to run for president in 1988 and 1992.Cuomo refused to run either year. He was the Keynote Speaker at the1984 Democratic Convention. Rumours were abound as to why he didn'trun, the most notable of which was supposed ties to the Mafia, whichwere never confirmed. Cuomo gave the nominating speech to Bill Clintonin 1992. That year there was a movement to write him in to becomepresident. However Mario Cuomo's strong record could not defy theRepublican Revolution. Cuomo looked good for re-election in 1994. Hehad the endorsement of much of the Democratic top brass in the state,and a good part of the top Republicans, including the newly elected NewYork Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Critics of his campaign said that againstconservative George Pataki he did not give a strong campaign, and lostnarrowly to the novice former Peekskill Mayor.

Part of Pataki's victory could be attributed to the powerful SenatorAlfonse D'Amato, who helped his campaign considerably. D'Amato lostheavily in 1998, but Pataki was re-elected. Since September 11th Patakihas become viewed as a strong leader. Before September 11th, his twoDemocratic rivals, Carl McCall, and Cuomo's son Andrew looked to have ashot at the Governor's seat. Mario Cuomo's political legacy looks torest to a certain degree on the potential career of his son. HoweverCuomo will be forever remembered as a champion of progressive ideasthat are still being hailed as some of the best in the nation.

Cuomo's post political career has been quite impressive too. Cuomo haswritten many essays and books, speaks at many functions across thecountry and at one point hosted a nationally syndicated talk show.Mario is married to Matilda Cuomo and had five children: Margaret, Andrew,Maria, Madeline and Christopher. He has six grand children.