The Death of Artemio Cruz is the story of its corrupt and dying title character, a politician and business mogul who lived through the Mexican Revolution and built an empire in the aftermath. On his deathbed Artemio is courted by his dissolute children, a priest hopeful of getting a confession of his crimes, and various enemies flaunting their knowledge of his crooked dealings. He languishes in agony, terrified of his end and the cessation of his life.