obdulio varela, who, contrary to custom in spanish-speaking countries, is known by the maternal part of his surname, was born in barrio la teja, montevideo on september 20, 1917. he comes from a family of ten brothers. his parents lived separately. after he worked as an 8-year-old to improve the financial situation, he began to earn his money with the car care at the hotel del prado at the age of 13, then he sold newspapers in paso molino.