10 Facts About Mario Cuomo, former New York Governor

1. Mario Cuomo was Governor of New York from 1983-1995.

2. Cuomo grew up in Queens to a family of poor Italian immigrants.

3. In 1952, Cuomo signed as an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He gave up baseball after he was stuck in the head by a pitch.

4. Cuomo attended St. John's School of Law and graduated at the top of his class in 1956.

5. Despite being a top law student, when he applied to law firms, the ethnic prejudice of the time led to his rejection by over 50 firms.

6. Despite running for Mayor and losing in 1977, Cuomo was elected to Lieutenant Governor in 1978.

7. Cuomo passed on running for President in 1988 and 1992 despite intense pressure from the Democratic party.

8. In 1993, Cuomo passed on the opportunity to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

9. Cuomo and his wife, Matilda Cuomo, have five children including: Cuomo's daughter, Maria Cuomo Cole, is married to fashion designer, Kenneth Cole.  Cuomo's son, Chris Cuomo was a journalist on ABC's Primetime as well as an anchor on CNN.  Cuomo's son, Andrew Cuomo, the current Governor of New York.

10. Cuomo died on January 1, 2015 of a heart condition a few hours after his son Andrew was sworn-in to a second term as Governor of New York State.