Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru. Hernando de Soto's family wanted him to become a lawyer but he wanted to be an explorer so he rebelled against them and finally got his way. He was born to parents who lived in Extremadura, an area of great hardship and poverty. Pedrarias d'Avila-brother indebted him Hernando de Soto married Isabel de Bobadilla in November of 1537. Hernando de Soto was born in either Badajoz or Barcorrata, Estremadura, Spain, around 1496 to a noble, yet impoverished family. Hernando de Soto was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain, sometime around the year 1500. Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer who led an expedition into the southern United States. He and his soldiers were the first Europeans to set foot in what is now Arkansas. Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru and, in the course of exploring what was to become the southeastern United States, discovered the Mississippi River. De Soto spent his youth in the family manor house at Jerez de los Popularity: #1 of 3 Child, Youth, and Family Services in Hernando #1 of 3 Child, Youth, and Family Services in DeSoto County #18 of 22 Child, Youth, and Family Services in Mississippi #535 in Child, Youth, and Family Services De Soto Family & Childrens Service Contact Information. Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer born in approximately 1500 in Villanueva de la Serena, Badajoz, Spain. After he caught the fever he died on May 21, 1542 and his body was sunk into the river that he discovered by his crew. She later became the only female governor of Cuba and had no children with Hernando de Soto. In 1539 he set out for North America, where he found the Mississippi River. He was raised in the household manor. Did you know? It is also believed he may have been the first explorer to be documented crossing the Mississippi River. Hernando's family wanted him to become a lawyer,but he told them that he wanted to explore the West Indies. Four written accounts of the expedition provide details about his trek through the state. He is believed to have been the first European explorer to lead an expedition deep into what is now the United States. Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru. A generous patron named Pedro Arias Dvila financed de Soto’s instruction in the University of Salamanca. His education was facilitated by Pedrarias Davila, Count of Puño en Rostro. Did you know? Quiz According to the video: Hernando de Soto was a ______ man. Did you know? He was raised at the family manor. His crew members sank his corpse in the Mississippi River(soft facts). Hernando de Soto's body was not buried. He returned to the… He was born into a family with minor nobility and little money as the second son of Francisco Mendez de Soto and Leonor Arias Tinoco.