People will remember him as the man who sponsored sports and the arts and created the today Premios Soberano, the Oscars of the Dominican entertainment industry and the Centro León. He was also the marketing mastermind behind the diversifying of the tobacco company, Eduardo Leon Jimenes to create the empires of the Marlboro cigarettes and Presidente beer, two mass consumer products that for years were the main sponsors of sports in the Dominican Republic. Don Jose Leon was behind sponsorship of the Central American & Caribbean Games in 1974, at a time when sports were not part of Dominican culture.
Don Jose Leon with his brothers was also behind the creation of the Centro León in Santiago de los Caballeros, a major cultural center, showcasing Dominican heritage and legacy.
Don Jose Leon Asensio passed away on 4 March 2024 at 90 years.
Don Jose Leon was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 as a promoter of sports. He had been decorated with the Duarte, Sanchez and Mella medal of honor in 1993.
He is survived by his wife Petrica Cabral Vega, daughters Maria Amalia and Lidia, and grandchildren.
According to Forbes, León Asensio leaves one of the ten largest fortunes in the Dominican Republic, with a net worth that borders the billion-dollar mark.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
Centro Leon
Salon de la Fama
Wikipedia
5 March 2024