Antonio López de Santa Anna (21 February 1794 – 21 June 1876) was a Mexican politician and general who fought to defend royalist New Spain and then for Mexican independence. He served eleven non-consecutive presidential terms over a period of 22 years. His military failures resulted in Mexico losing just over half its territory. Born Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón in Xalapa, Veracruz, Viceroyalty of New Spain. (d. 1876)