Who Is Luis Arce? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Luis Arce, born on September 28, 1963, is the President of Bolivia, having assumed office in November 2020 after a significant electoral victory. A member of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) political party, he previously served as Minister of Economy and Public Finance from 2006 to 2017, where he played a crucial role in shaping Bolivia's economic policies. As of 2025, Luis Arce is 62 years old.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 28, 1963 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Bolivia |
Popularity
Luis Arce's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details on Luis Arce's height and weight are not widely publicized, it is reported that he possesses a commanding presence essential for his role in politics. His physical stats align with a typical male politician, aiming to project confidence and authority in public.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Luis Arce is married to his wife, a partner who supports him in his political journey. The couple has children, but they generally maintain a low profile, preferring to keep their family life private. As a public figure, Arce has focused primarily on his political career rather than publicizing details about his personal relationships.
Soon after resigning, Arce took refuge in the Mexican Embassy in La Paz, where he was granted asylum by the Mexican government. Given his medical history, the interim government of Jeanine Áñez granted him and his wife safe-conduct to leave the country.
Nonetheless, Arce denounced that he had received harassment from police while attempting to board his flight at the El Alto International Airport. On 6 December, after a brief layover in Lima, Arce arrived in Mexico, where he joined other exiled authorities, including Morales.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Luis Arce's net worth is estimated to be substantial, reflecting his extensive career in politics and economics. His salary as President of Bolivia is publicly disclosed, but specific figures may vary depending on various governmental and non-governmental engagements. However, his earnings have come significantly from his long tenure in public office and previous roles in economic management.
Inaugurated on 8 November 2020, Arce's presidency brought Bolivia back in line domestically and internationally with its traditional position under Morales and away from the rightward shift the Áñez government had taken.
Domestically, Arce's first year in office saw its greatest successes in combating the COVID-19 pandemic through the procurement of vaccines from Russian and Chinese sources.
His government spearheaded an international call for the pharmaceutical industry to waive its patents on vaccines and medications in order to provide greater access to them by low-income countries.
Though he succeeded in stabilizing the economy in the face of the health crisis, Arce's ability to conduct its growth was hampered by a vaccine hesitant population, which prolonged the pandemic's economic ramifications.
Among the biggest challenges of the Arce administration was the urgent need for judicial reform in the country, which he pledged to address but was forced to delay on multiple occasions.
Career, Business, and Investments
Luis Arce’s career has been heavily influenced by his background in economics. Prior to becoming president, he built a reputation as a savvy economic strategist during a time of significant growth in Bolivia's economy. Under his leadership, the administration has focused on social programs, economic stability, and the strengthening of national industries. His experience includes high-profile positions both domestically and internationally, which help shape his business acumen. Although he has faced challenges since taking office, Arce's economic policies focus on recovery and sustainability amid global uncertainties.
Born in La Paz, Arce graduated as an economist at the University of Warwick. His lifelong career in banking and accounting at the Central Bank of Bolivia prompted President Evo Morales to appoint him as minister of finance in 2006.
For over ten years as Morales' longest-serving minister, Arce was hailed as the architect behind Bolivia's economic transformation, overseeing the nationalization of the country's hydrocarbons industry, the rapid expansion of GDP, and the reduction of poverty.
His tenure was only brought to an end by a diagnosis of kidney cancer, which forced him to leave office to seek extended treatment abroad.
Upon his recovery, Arce was reappointed to his position in January 2019 but resigned from office within the year amid the social unrest the country faced in October and November, culminating in Morales' removal as president soon thereafter amid allegations of electoral fraud.
During the interim government of Jeanine Áñez, Arce sought asylum in Mexico and Argentina, where Morales—barred from running again—nominated him as the Movement for Socialism's presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for 2020.
Throughout the campaign, Arce characterized himself as a moderating force, a proponent of his party's socialist ideals but not subservient to its leader, Morales. In a substantial victory, Arce won fifty-five percent of the popular vote.
Social Network
Luis Arce maintains an active presence on various social media platforms, which he uses to communicate with the citizens of Bolivia and to promote governmental initiatives. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook are often used for public engagement, while Instagram serves to share more personal glimpses into his life and presidency. His approach to social media reflects a modern political identity, fostering transparency and connectivity with the public.
In 2011, the American Economy Magazine ranked Arce the region's 8th-best minister of the economy out of 18. As the minister of economy, Arce maintained a relatively low profile. Christopher Sabatini, a senior researcher fellow for Latin America at Chatham House and founder of Americas Quarterly, called Arce "one of the few technocrats in MAS".
"He's level headed" and "doesn't engage in inflammatory rhetoric", Sabatini wrote. Bolivian media often credited Arce with steering the nation through a period of economic growth. His policies were salient in slashing Bolivia's poverty rate during his terms and facilitating large amounts of economic growth as a result of rising gas exports.
Education
Luis Arce holds a degree in Economics from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés in La Paz, Bolivia. He later pursued further specialization, earning a Master's degree in National Economic Planning from the same institution. His educational background has significantly influenced his political career, allowing him to approach Bolivia's economic challenges with informed insight and strategic vision.
In conclusion, Luis Arce continues to shape the political landscape of Bolivia as he navigates through his second term as president in 2025, while managing relationships, public expectations, and economic strategies. His life and career are a testament to the impact of dedicated public service.
He is the son of Carlos Arce Gonzales and Olga Catacora, both teachers. Arce grew up in a middle-class family, beginning his school studies in 1968 and graduating from high school in La Paz in 1980. He studied at the Institute of Banking Education in La Paz, initially graduating as an accountant in 1984.
In 1991, he received a bachelor's degree in economics from the Higher University of San Andrés before completing his studies abroad at the University of Warwick at Coventry, United Kingdom, where he graduated in 1997 with a master's in economics.
He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of los Andes (UNANDES) and the Franz Tamayo Private University (UNIFRANZ) in Bolivia.
