Herma Marksman is a Venezuelan historian.
Marksman was born of a peasant woman and a German immigrant who worked as an ironworker union organizer. When she was in her 30s she met the future Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who was then married and in his twenties. She became his mistress. They both were students of socialism and idealistic and she helped him in his academic studies. After the failed 1992 coup attempt Chavez left both his first wife and mistress.[1]
Marksman now repudiates him, and describes his government as imposing a "fascist dictatorship".[2] She has also written several essays and a book titled "El otro Chávez," describing her relationship with Chavez.