Gabriel José García Márquez, affectionately known as "Gabo", was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and journalist. He is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982.

He was born on March 6, 1927, in Aracataca, Colombia, and raised by his maternal grandparents. His grandfather was a significant influence, and his grandmother inspired his literary sensibilities with her imaginative storytelling.

García Márquez pursued law but shifted to journalism and fiction writing. He wrote many acclaimed non-fiction works and short stories but is best known for his novels. His notable works include "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (1967), "Love in the Time of Cholera" (1985), and "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" (1981).

He popularized the literary style of magical realism, blending magical elements with ordinary settings. His works often explore themes of solitude and are set in the fictional village of Macondo, inspired by his hometown.

He had a significant impact on Latin American literature and was a central figure in the Latin American Boom. García Márquez died on April 17, 2014, in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and influential writers in modern literature.