FACTBOX: Some facts about Attorney General Gonzales

(Reuters) - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose tenure has been marked by controversy over civil liberties and the firings of prosecutors, has resigned, a senior U.S. official said on Monday.

Following are some facts about Gonzales.

* Gonzales has been touted by the administration as an American success story. The son of migrant workers, he was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1955 and grew up in a two-bedroom house in Texas with his parents and seven siblings.

* He said the family spoke English at home, so although he has an understanding of Spanish and his Latino roots are often highlighted, Gonzales is not comfortable speaking Spanish in public.

* After attending the Air Force Academy, he received his undergraduate degree from Rice University and studied law at Harvard University.

* Gonzales worked as a corporate attorney for a Houston law firm before being named general counsel to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

* He served as secretary of state of Texas from 1997-1999 and was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 1999.

* After Bush won his first term as president, Gonzales was named White House counsel in January 2001, holding that job until becoming attorney general in February 2005.

* Gonzales eventually won confirmation as the 80th attorney general but he squeaked through with the second highest number of "no" votes ever for a successful nominee for the post.