Sebastián Piñera, the former president of Chile who navigated the nation through crises, including an earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, died in a helicopter crash at the age of 74, confirmed Chile Interior Minister Carolina Tohá. Piñera served two terms, from 2010 to 2014 and then from 2018 to 2022. His leadership during the 2010 rescue of trapped miners gained international acclaim, but his legacy includes criticism for violent police repression during 2019 protests. President Gabriel Boric praised Piñera’s commitment to the country, acknowledging his democratic values. Leaders across Latin America expressed condolences, recognizing Piñera’s impact, despite ideological differences.
Piñera, with a fortune estimated at $3 billion, transitioned from academia and business to politics, representing the center-right. Despite early associations with the military regime, he voted against Pinochet’s extension during his time as an independent senator. Piñera won the presidency in 2010 and secured a second term in 2018. His tenure faced challenges, including the earthquake’s aftermath and the successful rescue of miners in 2010.
The former president’s death comes as Chile grapples with wildfires in the central region. Piñera’s impact on the nation, spanning his academic, business, and political endeavors, left a lasting legacy, with over a million jobs estimated to have been created during his time in office. His resilience and management of crises, including the global pandemic, shaped Chile’s recent history.
