Ralph Almonte’s life reads like a gripping novel, filled with hardship, defiance, and unrelenting ambition. Born on December 24, 1948, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Almonte’s journey from a childhood marked by poverty and abuse to a figure of political influence and literary aspiration is nothing short of extraordinary. His forthcoming book, I Live Twice in Hell, promises to capture this saga, offering readers a raw and inspiring account of a man who refused to be defined by his circumstances. In an exclusive interview, Almonte shared the pivotal moments that shaped his path, revealing a story of resilience, rebellion and redemption.
A Childhood Forged in Adversity
Almonte’s early years were steeped in struggle. At age three or four, around 1954, his father handed him over to an aunt in Salcedo, Dominican Republic, where he was treated more like a servant than a child. Tasked with grueling chores like fetching water from a river, young Ralph endured physical abuse from a cousin and neglect in a household plagued by poverty and ignorance. “They treated me like I was a slave,” he recalls, his voice carrying the weight of those memories. Yet, glimmers of hope emerged through connections with wealthier relatives, like the Perez family, who treated him like a brother, and a brief reunion with his father, whose new family offered a reprieve from his aunt’s cruelty.
Education was a distant dream until his father enrolled him in school at age four or five. Teachers quickly recognized his sharp intellect, but Almonte’s curiosity clashed with the oppressive Trujillo dictatorship (1930–1961). In sixth grade, he was slapped by a teacher for questioning why dictator Rafael Trujillo remained in power beyond constitutional limits, a moment that sparked his revolutionary spirit. “I was very smart,” he says, but his boldness often invited punishment in a regime that silenced dissent.
A Soldier’s Odyssey
At 17, seeking escape from a brother’s expectation to work as a building superintendent in New York, Almonte volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1966. Basic training in South Carolina exposed him to racism and physical confrontations, but he refused to be intimidated. “I always defended myself,” he asserts. Assigned as a supply clerk, he requested a transfer to Vietnam to avoid a posting in Germany, driven by a desire to fight and fund his future education. His service in Vietnam came at a steep cost: injuries to his left arm and head left him hospitalized for two years, robbing him of youthful vigor.
Before Vietnam, Almonte faced scrutiny from the CIA, who investigated him for suspected communist ties due to his revolutionary activities in the Dominican Republic, inspired by Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution. A lie detector test cleared him, but trust remained tenuous. Post-war, he worked with the FBI, infiltrating groups like the Black Panthers and later serving in a psychological role, leveraging his knack for “sniffing evidence” to uncover critical intelligence. These experiences, fraught with danger and moral complexity, form a cornerstone of his memoir.
A Political Firebrand
Returning to the Dominican Republic after completing high school in the U.S., Almonte immersed himself in politics with the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). His charisma and strategic acumen propelled him to prominence as an assistant to a PRD leader who became president. Almonte played a pivotal role in electing a friend as senator and managed a $22 million project supplying ships to the Dominican Marine, earning him an appointment as an international advisor to the Senate.
Yet, his ambitions were often thwarted by his past. Offered lucrative diplomatic posts in Miami or Japan, potentially earning $250,000 monthly, Almonte was barred from accepting due to his CIA ties, which prohibited diplomatic roles. His attempt to import weapons to the Dominican Republic led to a dramatic arrest at the airport, branding him “Dominican Rambo” in the media. Jailed for 14 days, he faced death threats, but U.S. Embassy intervention and his American connections spared him. “I was really, really real,” he says, reflecting on his fearless defiance.
Almonte’s political ventures also included business missteps, like a failed truck import scheme and a pig farming venture that cost millions but yielded no profit. Despite these setbacks, his influence endured, culminating in a bold agreement with the U.S. and Dominican governments to limit his political activities during a brief return to the Dominican Republic, underscoring his complex relationship with power.
A Masterpiece in the Making
At 76, Almonte shows no signs of slowing down. His book, I Live Twice in Hell, is a testament to a life lived on the edge, chronicling his journey from a battered child to a soldier, revolutionary, and political strategist. The memoir promises to weave together tales of survival, betrayal, and triumph, with Almonte’s unyielding spirit as its thread. “I Live right in hell,” he says, encapsulating the raw intensity of his story.
Currently, Almonte claims to serve as a campaign advisor to President Donald Trump, having supported Eric Trump’s efforts. He plans to visit the White House after a trip to France and Italy in July 2025, aiming to discuss aggressive political strategies and loyalty in governance. “We have to be strong,” he emphasizes, advocating for a combative approach to leadership.
Message of Possibility
Almonte’s story is not just a recounting of events but a clarion call to readers. “Nothing is impossible for anybody to achieve,” he insists, urging others to rise above adversity as he did. His journey, from fetching water in Salcedo to navigating the corridors of power, offers a lesson in resilience and audacity. I Live Twice in Hell is poised to inspire those who dare to dream beyond their circumstances, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, a masterpiece can emerge.
As Almonte prepares to publish his memoir, with marketing efforts underway, his story stands as a vivid portrait of a man who turned evidence of hardship into a narrative of triumph. For readers, his life offers not just a tale of survival but a blueprint for crafting their own masterpiece.
About the Author
Ralph Almonte, born December 1948 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is the author of I Live Twice in Hell, a gripping memoir chronicling his extraordinary journey from hardship to influence. Surviving an abusive childhood and poverty, he served in the Vietnam War, where he was injured, and later worked with the FBI infiltrating political groups. A law graduate and key figure in the Dominican Revolutionary Party politics, Almonte aided presidential campaigns and narrowly escaped political persecution. His story, marked by resilience and defiance, inspires readers to overcome impossible odds. I Live Twice in Hell is a testament to his enduring belief that “nothing is impossible.”
