The presidential campaign of 1970 for Jorge Alessandri ended in a public television appearance that arguably cost him the election. During a broadcast, the former head of state struggled with shaking hands and visible frailty, contrasting sharply with his earlier reputation as a disciplined technocrat who had led Chile during a period of significant economic restructuring.
Early Career and Business
Born in Santiago in 1896, Alessandri pursued an education at the Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera and the University of Chile. After graduation in 1919, he served as a lecturer before embarking on a career as an engineer and entrepreneur. Following a brief period of exile in Europe, he entered parliament as an independent for a Santiago constituency in 1926. By 1932, he shifted his focus to business, eventually managing the Paper and Cardboard Manufacturing Company and leading the mortgage bank Caja de Crédito Hipotecario.
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In 1947, Alessandri joined the cabinet as Minister of Finance under Gabriel González. He implemented a rigorous austerity program to stabilize public finances and control inflation. His tenure was marked by the reordering of administrative systems, though his decision to freeze public sector wages triggered widespread strikes by 1950. Following his cabinet resignation in 1950, he resumed his duties at the Chilean employers' confederation before returning to the political arena.
The Presidency
Elected President in 1958, Alessandri centered his administration on economic reform and tariff liberalization. His term faced major disruption in May 1960, when a severe earthquake hit the region between Concepción and Puerto Montt, causing over US$400 million in damages. Reconstruction efforts dominated his later years. Political pressure from shifting parliamentary alignments in 1961 forced his government to adopt a more progressive stance, leading to early agricultural and tax reforms before he left office in 1964.
Final Years and Political Legacy
Alessandri challenged Salvador Allende for the presidency again in 1970, losing the congressional vote decisively. Following the 1973 military coup led by Augusto Pinochet, he remained active in public life as the leader of the Council of State, which advised the military junta on legislative matters and constitutional drafting. He died in his native Santiago in 1986, having served his country as an engineer, deputy, senator, and head of state.
Fast facts
- Born: 1896, Santiago
- Died: 1986, Santiago
- President of Chile: 1958-1964
- Education: University of Chile
- Professional Background: Civil engineer and entrepreneur
- Religion: Catholicism
- Key Award: Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (1960)
- Final Position: President of the Council of State
Questions readers ask
Did Jorge Alessandri serve more than one term as president?
No, he served a single presidential term from 1958 to 1964.
What was his role after the 1973 coup?
He was named president of the Council of State in 1976, advising the junta on legislation and the new constitution.
Achievements
- President of Chile (1958–1964)
- deputy of Chile
- senator of Chile
- Chilean Minister of Finance (1947–1950)
- Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic — 1960
- Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III — 1964
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
- Grand Cross of the Order Bernardo O'Higgins
- Educated at University of Chile and Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera
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