View source for First Lady of Chile

{{Infobox Political post
| post = First Lady
| body = Chile
| insignia = Flag of Chile.svg
| insigniasize = 150px
| insigniacaption = [[Flag of Chile]]
| image = Paula Carrasco (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 180px
| incumbent = [[Paula Carrasco]]
| residence = [[La Moneda Palace]]
| incumbentsince = 18 September 2024
| termlength = 
| formation = 1811
| inaugural = [[Mercedes Fontecilla|María Mercedes Fontecilla Valdivieso]]
| last = [[Irina Karamanos]]
| website = [http://www.primeradama.gob.cl/ Official website] {{in lang|es}}
| native_name = {{small|Primera dama de Chile}}
}}

The '''first lady of Chile''' ({{langx|es|Primera dama de Chile}}) is the title for the wife of the [[president of Chile]], who is traditionally responsible for directing and coordinating activities in the social field of the presidency and accompanying the president in ceremonies or official activities, for example, on [[state visit]]s. Although not an official title, it is widely used in formal protocol and has been used in some decrees.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Presidency of the Republic of Chile|author-link=|title=Resolución 2059 Exenta: Aprueba disposiciones generales de participación ciudadana en la Presidencia de la República|url=https://www.bcn.cl/leychile|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Library of the National Congress of Chile|publisher=|language=es|archive-date=2016-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119043322/https://www.bcn.cl/leychile|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
In [[Colonial Chile|colonial times]], the wives of the [[Royal Governor of Chile|royal governors]] (known also as "presidents") were called ''Presidentas''. The title was still in use after Chile become a republic in the 19th century; the term, was slowly superseded by the newer ''First Lady'', similar to the one used in other countries.{{Efn|The term ''Presidenta'' has been adopted in current times as the female version of ''Presidente'', the title of President in Spanish (for example, when [[Michelle Bachelet]] assumed as the first female President of Chile in 2006).}}

Due to the complex evolution of the [[President of Chile|Head of State of Chile]] after the emancipation from Spain and the non-official character of the title, it is not possible to define who was the "first First Lady". Potential options include:

* [[Nicolasa Valdés|María Nicolasa Valdés]], wife of [[Mateo de Toro Zambrano, 1st Count of La Conquista|Mateo de Toro Zambrano]], former Royal Governor and first [[Government Junta of Chile (1810)|President of the Government Junta]] (1810).
* [[Mercedes Fontecilla]], wife of [[José Miguel Carrera]], first [[List of commanders-in-chief of the Chilean Army|Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Chilean Army]] and president of the Provisional Government Junta (1811–1813)
* [[Isabel Riquelme]], mother of [[Bernardo O'Higgins]], first [[Supreme Director of Chile]] as an independent country (1818–1823).
* [[Carmen Gana López|Carmen Gana]], wife of [[Manuel Blanco Encalada]], first President of the Republic of Chile (1826).

During the 19th and early 20th century, the First Lady was considered one of the most influential figures of Chilean [[High society (social class)|high society]]. As the wife of the President, the first ladies fulfilled the role as hostesses of ceremonies, especially after the President moved to the [[La Moneda Palace]] in 1845, and were in charge of the decoration of the presidential residences. Also, they participated in several charities and promoted different causes: [[Delfina de la Cruz]] and [[Emilia Márquez de la Plata]], for example, organized events to support injured veterans, orphans and widowers caused by the [[War of the Pacific]]. In 1925, the First Lady had their own private office and staff, to support her role as the president of different charitable organizations created by the government.

During the 20th century, the role of the First Lady increased, in line with the empowered role women had in politics and became more visible to the general public, not just for the high society. [[Juana Rosa Aguirre]], wife of [[Pedro Aguirre Cerda]] (president between 1938 and 1941), promoted the adoption of [[women's suffrage]] and helped the people affected by the [[1939 Chillán earthquake]]. Other foundations created by the First Ladies by the middle of the 20th century included the Ropero del Pueblo (1947–1958) and CEMA Chile (1967–1990).

At the moment, no male presidential spouse has existed. The title of [[First Gentleman]] (''Primer Caballero'') has been proposed for this case, although colloquially the term ''Primer Damo'' was used to refer to Bachelet's son Sebastián Dávalos when he acted as her representative.<ref>La Segunda, March 17, 2004, [http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Politica/2014/03/921758/sebastian-davalos-se-instala-hoy-en-la-moneda-y-comienza-a-ejercer-rol-de-primer-damo Sebastián Dávalos se instaló en La Moneda y comienza a ejercer rol de «primer damo»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318061912/http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Politica/2014/03/921758/sebastian-davalos-se-instala-hoy-en-la-moneda-y-comienza-a-ejercer-rol-de-primer-damo |date=2014-03-18 }} (Sebastián Dávalos is working at [[La Moneda]] and begins his job as "male first lady".)</ref>

== Vacancy ==
The role of the First Lady has been vacant in six times, once by the death of the title holder and five times when the President has not been married. Usually in these cases, the role has been assumed by a close female relative.

* During [[Bernardo O'Higgins]]'s rule as Supreme Director (1818-1823), his mother [[Isabel Riquelme]] acted in ceremonies similarly to a contemporary First Lady.
*During [[Carlos Ibáñez del Campo]]'s first presidency (1927-1931), before his marriage with [[Graciela Letelier]] in December 1927.
*During [[Arturo Alessandri]]'s second presidency (1932-1938), after his wife [[Rosa Rodríguez Velasco]] died in 1936.
*During [[Jorge Alessandri]]'s presidency (1958-1962), the role was assumed by Louise Schäffer, wife of [[Sótero del Río]], his minister of Interior.
* During [[Michelle Bachelet]]'s first presidency (2006-2010), the Director of the Social-Cultural Area of the Presidency was held first by former minister [[Adriana Delpiano]] and later by [[María Eugenia Hirmas]], wife of minister [[Sergio Bitar]]. During her second presidency (2014-2018), the role was held first by her son [[Sebastián Dávalos]] and later by Paula Forttes. However, the ceremonial role of First Lady was unofficially fulfilled by Bachelet's mother, [[Ángela Jeria]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cuando no hay primera dama, está la familia.|url=https://www.laverdad.es/murcia/20090510/sociedad_murcia/cuando-primera-dama-esta-20090510.html|access-date=2022-01-18|website=La Verdad|archive-date=2015-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104005429/http://www.laverdad.es/murcia/20090510/sociedad_murcia/cuando-primera-dama-esta-20090510.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*During [[Gabriel Boric]]'s presidency (2022-), the role was assumed by his girlfriend [[Irina Karamanos]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Irina Karamanos confirmó que asumirá cargo de Primera Dama: "Es un desafío que podemos aprovechar"|url=https://www.pagina7.cl/notas/actualidad/2022/01/18/irina-karamanos-primera-dama-confirmacion.shtml|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Pagina 7|language=es|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118135742/https://www.pagina7.cl/notas/actualidad/2022/01/18/irina-karamanos-primera-dama-confirmacion.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Boric and Karamanos announced the end of their relationship in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite instagram|postid=CztpDLIOGQf|last=Boric|first=Gabriel|user=gabrielboric|date=2023-11-16|accessdate=2023-11-16|title=Irina es una mujer extraordinaria, en todas las dimensiones en que se puede entender a una persona. De una curiosidad infinita por los misterios de la vida porque sobre todo tiene ganas de vivirla. Es generosa como nadie, tenga poco o mucho, siempre va a compartir porque (...)}}</ref>

== Director of the Social-Cultural Area of the Presidency ==
Michelle Bachelet, a divorced woman, created an administrative position under her direct appointment, the ''Director of the social-cultural area of the Presidency'', to absorb the different non-profit foundations of the presidency (''Red de Fundaciones de la Presidencia de la República'') that were traditionally managed by the First Lady. The foundations included are Integra, Promoción y Desarrollo de la Mujer, Prodemu (Women's promotion and development); Fundación de la Familia; Tiempos Nuevos; [[Museo Interactivo Mirador]]; Matucana 100 Cultural Center; the Chilean Youth Orchestras; Artesanías de Chile (Arts and crafts) and Todo Chilenter.<ref name="Bitar">{{cite news|title=Bachelet designa a esposa de Sergio Bitar en funciones de Primera Dama |publisher=[[El Mostrador]] |date=2007-01-26 |url=http://www.elmostrador.cl/modulos/noticias/constructor/noticia_new.asp?id_noticia=208570 |access-date=2007-01-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930021018/http://www.elmostrador.cl/modulos/noticias/constructor/noticia_new.asp?id_noticia=208570 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>

==List of first ladies==
{| class="wikitable"
!width=7%|Dates!!width=23%|Name!!width=18%|President!!width=53%|Parents
|-
|1810||'''[[Nicolasa Valdés|María Nicolasa Valdés y Carrera]]'''  || [[Mateo de Toro y Zambrano|Mateo de Toro y Zambrano y Ureta]] || Domingo Valdés y González-Soberal and Francisca de Borja de la Carrera y Ureta 
|-
|1811–1813 ||'''[[Mercedes Fontecilla|María Mercedes Fontecilla Valdivieso]]''' ||  [[José Miguel Carrera|José Miguel Carrera Verdugo]] || Diego Antonio Fontecilla Palacios and Rosa Valdivieso Portusagasti
|-
|1818–1823 || '''[[Isabel Riquelme|Isabel Riquelme y Meza]]''' {{Efn|O'Higgins was single. The role of First Lady was assumed unofficially by his mother.}}||  [[Bernardo O'Higgins|Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme]] || Simón Riquelme de la Barrera y Goycochea and María Mercedes de Meza y Ulloa 
|-
|1823–1826 ||'''{{ill|Manuela Caldera Mascayano|es}}''' ||  [[Ramón Freire|Ramón Freire Serrano]] || Francisco de Paula Caldera y Fontecilla-Palacios and Micaela Mascayano Larraín
|-
|1826 || '''[[Carmen Gana López]]''' || [[Manuel Blanco Encalada]] || Agustín Gana Darrigrande and Dolores López Guerrero 
|-
|1826–1827 ||'''[[Teresa Larraín|María Teresa de Larraín y Guzmán]]''' ||  [[Agustín Eyzaguirre|Agustín Manuel de Eyzaguirre y Arechavala]] || Agustín de Larraín y Lecaros and of Ana Josefa de Guzmán Peralta y Lecaros
|-
|1827–1829 ||'''{{ill|Luisa Garmendia|es}}''' ||  [[Francisco Antonio Pinto|Francisco Antonio Pinto Díaz]] || Ignacio Garmendia y Aguirre and María Elena de Aldurralde y Villagrán 
|-
|1829 || '''[[Mariana de Aguirre|Mariana de Aguirre y Boza]]''' || [[Francisco Ramón Vicuña|Francisco Ramón Vicuña Larraín]]|| José Santos de Aguirre y Díez de Aséndegui and Antonia de Boza de Lima y Andía-Irarrázaval
|-
|1830–1831 || '''[[Rafaela Bezanilla|Rafaela Bezanilla Bezanilla]]''' || [[José Tomás Ovalle|José Tomás Ovalle y Bezanilla]]|| Francisco  Bezanilla y De la Bárcena y Juana Bezanilla y Abós-Padilla
|-
|1831 || '''[[María del Carmen Sotomayor|María del Carmen Sotomayor Elzo]]''' || [[Fernando Errázuriz Aldunate|Fernando de Errázuriz y Martínez de Aldunate]]|| Francisco Sotomayor Serrano and María de la Concepción de Elzo y Ureta
|-
|1831–1841 ||'''{{ill|Manuela Warnes|es}}''' ||  [[José Joaquín Prieto Vial]] || [[Manuel Antonio Warnes]] y Durango and Ana Jacoba García de Zúñiga y Lizola 
|-
|1841–1851 ||'''[[Enriqueta Pinto|Enriqueta Pinto Garmendia]]''' ||  [[Manuel Bulnes|Manuel Bulnes Prieto]] || Ex presidente  [[Francisco Antonio Pinto]] and the ex-First Lady [[Luisa Garmendia Aldurralde]]
|-
|1851–1861 ||'''[[Rosario Montt]]''' ||  [[Manuel Montt|Manuel Montt Torres]] || Filiberto Montt y Prado and Luz Goyenechea Sierra. 
|-
|1861–1871 ||'''{{ill|Tránsito Flores|es}}''' ||  [[José Joaquín Pérez|José Joaquín Pérez Mascayano]] || Antonio Flores y Toro Zambrano and Micaela de la Cavareda y Trucíos
|-
|1871–1876||'''[[Eulogia Echaurren|Eulogia Echaurren García-Huidrobro]]''' ||  [[Federico Errázuriz Zañartu]] || José Gregorio de Echaurren y Herrera and Juana García de Huidobro y Aldunate
|-
|1876–1881 || '''[[Delfina de la Cruz|Delfina de la Cruz Zañartu]]''' || [[Aníbal Pinto|Anibal Pinto Garmendia]] || [[José María de la Cruz|José María de la Cruz Prieto]] and Josefa Zañartu Trujillo 
|-
|1881–1886||'''{{ill|Emilia Márquez de la Plata|es}}''' ||  [[Domingo Santa María|Domingo Santa María González]] || [[Fernando Márquez de la Plata y Calvo de Encalada]] and María del Carmen Guzmán y Fontecilla 
|-
|1886-''1891'' ||'''{{ill|Emilia de Toro|es}}''' || [[José Manuel Balmaceda|José Manuel Balmaceda Fernández]] || Domingo José Francisco Rafael de Toro y Valdés and María Mercedes Guzmán y Lecaros
|-
|1891–1896 ||'''{{ill|Leonor Frederick|es}}''' ||  [[Jorge Montt|Jorge Montt Álvarez]] || Jonathan Frederick Winthon and Nieves Ledesma Varas
|-
|1896-''1901''||'''[[Gertrudis Echenique|Gertrudis Echenique Mujica]]''' ||  [[Federico Errázuriz Echaurren]] || Juan José Echenique Bascuñán and Jesús Mujica Echaurren
|-
|1901–1906 ||'''[[María Errázuriz|María Errázuriz Echaurren]]''' ||  [[Germán Riesco|Germán Riesco Errázuriz]] || Ex presidente [[Federico Errázuriz Zañartu]] and the ex-First Lady [[Eulogia Echaurren|Eulogia Echaurren García-Huidrobro]]  
|-
|1906-''1910'' ||'''[[Sara del Campo|Sara del Campo Yávar]]''' ||  [[Pedro Montt|Pedro Montt Montt]] || Evaristo del Campo Madariaga and Antonia Yávar Ruiz de Cabrera
|-
|1910–1915 ||'''{{ill|Mercedes Valdés Cuevas|es}}''' ||  [[Ramón Barros Luco]] || Francisco de Borja Valdés Aldunate and Alejandra Cuevas Avaria
|-
|1915–1920||'''[[Ana Echazarreta|Ana Echazarreta Pérez-Cotapos]]''' ||  [[Juan Luis Sanfuentes|Juan Luis Sanfuentes Andonaegui]] || Juan Manuel Echazarreta Irigoyen and Mercedes Pérez-Cotapos Recabarren
|-
|1920–1925 ||'''{{ill|Rosa Rodríguez Velasco|es}}''' ||  [[Arturo Alessandri|Artuto Alessandri Palma]] || José Antonio Rodríguez Velasco and Antonia Velasco Pérez-Cotapos
|-
|1925–1927||'''{{ill|Leonor Sánchez|es}}''' ||  [[Emiliano Figueroa|Emiliano Figueroa Larraín]] || Teodoro Sánchez Foulkner and Teresa Vicuña Vicuña 
|-
|1927–1931 ||'''{{ill|Graciela Letelier Velasco|es}}''' ||  [[Carlos Ibáñez del Campo]] || Ricardo Letelier Silva and Margarita Velasco Urzúa 
|-
|1931–1932 ||'''{{ill|Graciela Fehrman|es}}''' ||  [[Juan Esteban Montero|Juan Esteban Montero Rodríguez]] || Eduardo Fehrman Zúñiga and Adelaida Martínez Prado
|-
|1932 ||'''[[Herminia Arrate]]''' ||  [[Carlos Dávila|Carlos Dávila Espinoza]] || Miguel Arrate Larraín and Delia Ramírez Molina
|-
|1932–1938||'''{{ill|Rosa Rodríguez Velasco|es}}''' ||   [[Arturo Alessandri|Arturo Alessandri Palma]] || José Antonio Rodríguez Velasco and Antonia Velasco Pérez-Cotapos 
|-
|1938-''1941''|| '''[[Juana Rosa Aguirre|Juana Rosa Aguirre Luco]]''' || [[Pedro Aguirre Cerda]] || [[José Joaquín Aguirre|José Joaquín Aguirre Campos]] and Mercedes Luco Gutiérrez
|-
|1942-''1946''|| '''{{ill|Marta Ide Pereira|es}}''' ||  [[Juan Antonio Ríos|Juan Antonio Ríos Morales]] || Carlos Jorge Ide Schulz and Juana Pereira Ahuer 
|-
|1946–1952||  '''[[Rosa Markmann Reijer]]''' || [[Gabriel González Videla]] || Ladislao Markmann Villagrán and Ana Reijer Silva
|-
|1952–1958|| '''{{ill|Graciela Letelier Velasco|es}}''' ||  [[Carlos Ibáñez del Campo]] || Ricardo Letelier Silva and Margarita Velasco Urzúa   
|-
|1958–1964 || ''None''{{Efn|Alessandri was single; role was assumed by {{ill|Louise Schäffer|es}}, wife of minister [[Sótero del Río]].}}|| colspan="2" |[[Jorge Alessandri|Jorge Alessandri Rodríguez]] 
|-
|1964–1970 ||'''{{ill|María Ruiz-Tagle|es}}''' ||  [[Eduardo Frei Montalva]] || Alfredo Ruiz-Tagle Adriasola and Claudia Jiménez Pérez de Arce
|-
|1970-''1973''|| '''[[Hortensia Bussi|Hortensia Bussi Soto]]''' ||  [[Salvador Allende|Salvador Allende Gossens]] || Ciro Bussi Aguilera and Mercedes Soto García
|-
|1973–1990 || '''[[Lucía Hiriart|María Lucía Hiriart Rodríguez]]''' || [[Augusto Pinochet|Augusto Pinochet Ugarte]] || [[Osvaldo Hiriart Corvalán]] and Lucía Rodríguez Auda
|-
|1990–1994 || '''[[Leonor Oyarzún|Leonor Oyarzún Ivanovic]]''' || [[Patricio Aylwin|Patricio Aylwin Azócar]] || Manuel Oyarzún Lorca and Ana Ivanovic Roccatagliata
|-
|1994–2000 ||'''[[Marta Larraechea|Marta Larraechea Bolívar]]''' ||  [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle]] || Vasco de Larraechea Herrera and Victoria Bolívar Le Fort
|-
|2000–2006 ||'''[[Luisa Durán|Luisa Durán de la Fuente]]''' ||  [[Ricardo Lagos|Ricardo Lagos Escobar]] || Hernán Durán Morales and Luisa de la Fuente Tavolara
|-
|2006–2010 || ''None''{{efn|[[Michelle Bachelet]] was divorced. The role of First Lady was unofficially held by her mother, [[Ángela Jeria]], in ceremonies. However, the role of ''Director of the social-cultural area of the Presidency'' was assumed by [[Adriana Delpiano]] (2006-2007) and {{ill|María Eugenia Hirmas|es}} (2007-2010).<ref name=Bitar /><ref>Emol.com, [http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2006/03/16/213802/adriana-delpiano-asumira-rol-que-ocupaba-luisa-duran.html Adriana Delpiano asumirá rol que ocupaba Luisa Durán] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522111300/http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2006/03/16/213802/adriana-delpiano-asumira-rol-que-ocupaba-luisa-duran.html |date=2014-05-22 }}, 16 March 2006.</ref>}} ||colspan=2|[[Michelle Bachelet]]
|-
|2010–2014 ||'''[[Cecilia Morel|Cecilia Morel Montes]]''' ||  [[Sebastián Piñera|Sebastián Piñera Echenique]] || Eduardo Morel Chaigneau and Paulina Montes Brunet
|-
|2014–2018|| ''None''{{efn|[[Michelle Bachelet]] was divorced. The role of First Lady was unofficially held by her mother, [[Ángela Jeria]], in ceremonies. However, the role of ''Director of the social-cultural area of the Presidency'' was assumed by her son {{ill|Sebastián Dávalos|es}} (2014-2015) and later by Paula Frottes (2015-2018).<ref>Chilevisión, [http://www.chilevision.cl/noticias/noticias/nacional/sebastian-davalos-bachelet-se-hara-cargo-de-siete-fundaciones-sin-recibir-sueldo/2014-03-17/095531.html Sebastián Dávalos Bachelet se hará cargo de siete fundaciones sin recibir sueldo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317214635/http://www.chilevision.cl/noticias/noticias/nacional/sebastian-davalos-bachelet-se-hara-cargo-de-siete-fundaciones-sin-recibir-sueldo/2014-03-17/095531.html |date=2014-03-17 }}, 17 March 2014.</ref>}} ||colspan=2|[[Michelle Bachelet]]
|-
|2018–2022||'''[[Cecilia Morel|Cecilia Morel Montes]]''' ||  [[Sebastián Piñera|Sebastián Piñera Echenique]] || Eduardo Morel Chaigneau and Paulina Montes Brunet
|-
|2022–2023||'''[[Irina Karamanos|Irina Karamanos Adrían]]'''{{efn|Boric and Karamanos were not married.}} ||  rowspan="3"|[[Gabriel Boric|Gabriel Boric Font]] || Jorge Karamanos and Sabine Adrian
|-
|2023–2024||''None''||
|-
|2024–Present||'''[[Paula Carrasco]]'''{{efn|Boric and Carrasco were not married.}} ||
|}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
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{{reflist}}

{{First Ladies and Gentlemen}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First Ladies Of Chile}}
[[Category:First ladies of Chile| ]]
[[Category:Lists of spouses of heads of state|Chile]]