Robert "Bob' Martinez was born in Tampa, Florida, the grandson of Spanish immigrants, he obtained his undergraduate degree in Social Science at the University of Tampa in 1957, then earned a Masters degree, in "labor and industrial relations" from the University of Illinois in 1964. Returning to Tampa, Martinez taught social studies at Oak Grove Junior High and Chamberlain High School. Martinez became the head of the local teachers' union in 1966 until 1975. That year Martinez bought the well-known and popular Café Sevilla Spanish Restaurant in Tampa. Governor Rubin Askew also appointed him to the Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board later that year, serving until he ran successfully for mayor of Tampa in 1979.

In 1986, he resigned as Mayor to run for governor of Florida as a Republican. Upon winning, he became the first, and so far, only Hispanic to serve as governor. In 1989, Governor Martinez ordered state prosecutors to determine whether Miami-area rappers 2 Live Crew's album "Nasty as They Wanna Be" violated Florida obscenity laws. This resulted in record store owners being arrested for selling the album. Later members of the group were also arrested after a concert, but were eventually acquitted.

After his term as Governor, President George Bush appointed Martinez as Director, the "Drug Czar", of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a cabinet position, where he succeeded William Bennett, serving until January 20, 1993.

Since then Martinez returned to Tampa working as a consultant for businesses and a trustee to various local nonprofit groups involved way with education.