Son of the Aztec king Ahuízotl, he was orphaned while still a child and received an aristocratic education, as befits a member of royalty: he acquired the knowledge that prepared him for adult life in a calmecac (center with school and monastery functions). He married Tecuichpo, one of the daughters of the then emperor Moctezuma II, who had succeeded Ahuízotl on the throne.

Cuauhtémoc, a name that means "falling eagle," was a fierce enemy of the Spanish, especially after the massacre perpetrated in Tenochtitlán (on May 23, 1520) by Hernán Cortés' lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado. The brutal action of the Spanish captain provoked the violent reaction of the Aztec people. Exasperated by Moctezuma II's submission to the Spanish, the Indians stoned their own emperor, who died shortly after, and laid siege to the Spanish; Under the direction of Cortés, who had returned to the city, they managed to flee the Aztec capital on the night of June 30 to July 1, later called "Noche Triste."

While Hernán Cortés and his men, supported by the Tlaxcalans, prepared to attack Tenochtitlán again, the Aztec crown fell to a brother of Moctezuma II, Cuitláhuac. But Cuitláhuac died a few months later, a victim of the smallpox epidemic that, introduced by the Spaniards from Cuba, wreaked havoc on the Aztecs. After his death, the nobility appointed Cuauhtémoc as successor to the throne, who had distinguished himself by his bravery against the Spanish. He had also been a chief of Tlatelolco and, despite his 24 years, he had considerable military experience.

Surrender of Cuauhtémoc

Unfortunately, Cuauhtémoc could not count on the support of the cities and communities hitherto subjected to Aztec rule, which Cortés had cleverly attracted to the Spanish side. He tried to win over various indigenous groups in the valley to his cause, but failed and was left in a situation of extreme weakness. Faced with the imminent offensive of the invaders, the new emperor had fortifications built and organized the defense of Tenochtitlán.

After more than three months of siege, the Spanish managed to overcome the tenacious resistance and razed the city; its inhabitants received cruel treatment and its sumptuous temples and palaces, symbols of its civilization, were destroyed. Cuauhtémoc was taken prisoner on August 13, 1521, when he tried to flee to Texcoco.

From then until the moment of his death he remained captive, being tortured to reveal the place where the royal treasure was hidden. Finally, fearing that he might organize a new rebellion, Cortés took Cuauhtémoc with him, along with other Aztec nobles, on an expedition to the territory of present-day Honduras. During it, a certain Mexicalcingo accused Cuauhtémoc of having participated in an alleged conspiracy, and he was hanged along with other leading Aztecs.

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