José Luis Sampedro Dies: Economist Lives To 96; 5 Things To Know About The Last Spanish Revolutionary

"The oldest I get, the more revolutionary I am." That is how Jose Luis Sampedro defined himself: as a critical skeptic of the political reality of Spain, and contrary to most rebels, he never grew out of it. The Spanish economist and writer passed away at the age of 96.

Born in Barcelona, he lived in Tangiers, Morocco, until he was 18. He taught in the schools of Journalism and Economics in the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, until he went on exile to the UK during the Franco years.

Here are five key points about the last revolutionary of Spain:

1. He hated the spotlight

Sampedro was never good at interviews and did not enjoy fame. He was always more comfortable behind the scenes, and made good practice of it until the day he left: even though he died Sunday April 6, news of his passing did not reach the public until two days later.

2. He made difficult things easy

He obtained a Ph.D in economics and is one of the most respected intellectuals in Spain, belonging to several cultural associations, but he made himself known for leaving technical terms aside and making difficult concepts understandable to everybody.

3. He predicted the financial crisis

Sampedro saw the running up to the financial crash of 2008, having lived through numerous crisis and financial instability. He saw the precariousness of having an unregulated market better than anyone: "The political power, for better or worse, is regulated by the votes of citizens; the market is not controlled by anything."

4. He supported civil movements

He always thought the capitalist system was rotten in the base, and was a firm believer in the reform from the bottom. Moreover, Sampedro believed the change needed to come from the people. "The creators of the financial crisis have already gotten over it, but their victims are still suffering. If people accept austerity measures and see them as necessary is due to one of the strongest forces that motivate people: fear. To govern through fear is incredibly efficient."

5. He wished to rest in the sea

He expressed, for the last 20 years, his desire to be cremated and his ashes spread in the sea. And even though Spain has made that illegal, in an effort to keep the oceans cleaner, Sampedro will be an exception.