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Uruguayan composer, pianist, and journalist, renowned for creating the iconic tango 'La Cumparsita'. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay. Despite studying architecture, he achieved global fame as a composer in his teens. His masterpiece 'La Cumparsita', written in 1916 at age 19, became one of the most famous and recorded tangos in history. He led a bohemian life, involved in journalism, diplomacy (cultural attaché), and music, while battling chronic health issues.

• Matos Rodríguez composed 'La Cumparsita' for a carnival parade (cumparsa) of his university federation. He famously scribbled the melody on napkins in Café La Giralda in Montevideo.
• He initially sold the rights to 'La Cumparsita' for a modest sum to the publisher Breyer. The tango gained massive popularity only after Argentine lyricist Pascual Contursi added lyrics in 1924, creating 'Si supieras'. This led to a prolonged and bitter legal battle over authorship and royalties between Matos Rodríguez and Contursi's heirs.
• Suffering from severe health problems, including respiratory issues likely linked to tuberculosis, Matos Rodríguez spent many years in poverty despite the global success of his tango. He died relatively young, at age 51, in Montevideo.
• In 2018, Uruguay declared 'La Cumparsita' as the nation's 'Cultural and Popular Tango Hymn', cementing its cultural significance.