Who was Augusto Pinochet? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte

Died At Age: 91

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Lucía Hiriart

father: Augusto Pinochet Vera

mother: Avelina Ugarte Martínez

children: Augusto Osvaldo Pinochet, Jacqueline Marie Pinochet, Lucía Pinochet, Marco Antonio Pinochet, María Verónica Pinochet

Presidents Chilean Men

Died on: December 10, 2006

place of death: Santiago

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1

When did Augusto Pinochet come to power in Chile?

Augusto Pinochet came to power in Chile on September 11, 1973, after leading a military coup that overthrew President Salvador Allende.
2

What were the human rights abuses committed during Augusto Pinochet's regime?

During Pinochet's regime, human rights abuses such as torture, disappearances, and killings were widespread. Thousands of people were killed or went missing, and many were detained and tortured.
3

What was the economic impact of Augusto Pinochet's policies in Chile?

Pinochet implemented neoliberal economic policies that led to economic growth in Chile but also widened the gap between the rich and the poor. His policies included privatization of state-owned enterprises and liberalization of the economy.
4

How long did Augusto Pinochet rule Chile?

Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile for 17 years, from 1973 to 1990, after coming to power in a military coup.
5

What was the role of the United States in supporting Augusto Pinochet's regime?

The United States supported Pinochet's regime during the Cold War as part of its anti-communist efforts in Latin America. The CIA was involved in destabilizing Allende's government and supporting the military coup that brought Pinochet to power.

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Childhood & Early Life

Augusto Pinochet was born on November 25, 1915, the son of Augusto Pinochet Vera and Avelina Ugarte Martínez. He was of French Breton and Basque descent, and was raised a Roman Catholic.

He attended military school and graduated with the rank of second lieutenant. He subsequently rose swiftly through the infantry, and with periodic returns to the ‘Infantry School’ and the ‘War Academy’ he made the rank of major by 1953.

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Career

Pinochet rose through Chile’s military ranks, becoming a regiment commander, a Chief of Staff, brigadier general, and Commander in Chief for the 6th Division. In 1971 he became a division general and was named General Commander.

In the period 1972–1973, he was named General Chief of Staff of the Army, but after General Prats resigned he was quickly promoted by President Salvador Allende to Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. A month later he participated in the military coup that overthrew President Allende.

As a result of the military coup against President Allende’s government, a junta was immediately established which included Pinochet. He was subsequently named President in 1974.

As President, he sought to exterminate leftism in Chile and to introduce a free market economy. He did so through harsh policies suppressing dissent, while dismantling government control of industry.

During the Pinochet government, at least 3,197 people were murdered, 29,000 tortured, and over 200,000 forced to go into exile.

The Chilean economy, hurt by the extreme sanctions imposed by the ‘Nixon administration’, grew steadily under the new privatization and economic liberalization policies.

In 1980, he enacted a constitution that gave the office of the President an eight-year term and created new institutions such as the ‘Constitutional Tribunal’ and ‘National Security Council’.

In 1988, in response to international pressure, the constitution was amended to allow for a transition to a more democratic government. He was subsequently voted out of office and, per the ‘1980 constitution’s terms’, sworn in as a senator-for-life.

In 1998, he was arrested in London in regards to a Spanish extradition request. The government of Spain had issued a warrant for his arrest so that he might stand trial for human rights violations, many victims of which had been Spanish citizens. He was kept under house arrest for two years but finally returned to Chile on the grounds of ill health. For the next six years his immunity from prosecution would be repeatedly challenged and reinstated.

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Major Works

While his actual role in planning the coup has never been fully clarified, Augusto Pinochet was one of the leading strategists involved in the coup that deposed President Salvador Allende and ultimately led to Allende’s death. He subsequently became the de facto leader of the military junta and then President of Chile, radically altering the course of the nation.

Personal Life & Legacy

On the 30th of January, 1943, he married Lucía Hiriart Rodríguez, to whom he would stay married throughout his life. They had five children: Ines Lucía, María Verónica, Jacqueline Marie, Augusto Osvaldo, and Marco Antonio.

He allegedly had an affair in the late 1950s while stationed in Quito, Ecuador, with a woman named Piedad Noe, with whom he fathered a son named Juan.

The arrest of Pinochet was hailed as a landmark in human rights cases, showing that even elite members of society were not above the law. Since that time human rights organizations have become more aggressive, and more successful, in prosecuting world leaders for human rights violations.

Augusto Pinochet died on December 10, 2006, from congestive heart failure following a heart attack.

In 2005 both his wife Lucía and his son Marco were sued and subsequently for tax evasion relating to Pinochet’s arms dealings.

In 2007, Lucía and all five Pinochet children were arrested on charges of embezzlement and use of false passports in connection to the ‘Riggs Bank’ case.

The specter of Chile’s past reared its head once more in the 2013 presidential race. Both candidates were daughters of generals who served at the time of the coup, one on the side of President Allende, the other on the side of then-General Pinochet.

Facts About Augusto Pinochet

Augusto Pinochet was known to have a love for poetry and would often write verses in his spare time.

Pinochet was an avid reader and had a personal library that included a wide range of literature, from history books to classic novels.

Despite his controversial political legacy, Pinochet was praised for implementing economic policies that led to significant growth in Chile's economy during his rule.

Pinochet was a skilled pilot and enjoyed flying planes as a hobby, often taking to the skies in his free time.

Pinochet had a strong passion for traditional Chilean music and dance, frequently attending cultural events showcasing the country's rich heritage.

Augusto Pinochet Biography

You wanted to know

When did Augusto Pinochet come to power in Chile?

What were the human rights abuses committed during Augusto Pinochet's regime?

What was the economic impact of Augusto Pinochet's policies in Chile?

How long did Augusto Pinochet rule Chile?

What was the role of the United States in supporting Augusto Pinochet's regime?