First Lady of Chile


First Lady of Chile is the unofficial 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 also accompany the president in ceremonies or official activities, for example, on state visit. In colonial times the wives of the royal governors were known as Presidentas, title that was in use during the second half of the 19th century, but was slowly superseded by the newer of First Lady. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president, there is no clarity for the case of the spouse of a female president, regarding to the work that traditionally are performed by the first lady. In these cases, the title First Gentleman has been proposed. In March 2014, opposition newspaper La Segunda called Bachelet's son Sebastián Dávalos primer damo.
The first ladies fulfill a protocol function as hostesses, and since 1925, they have had their own private office and staff, and preside over different charitable organizations, such as Ropero del Pueblo, CEMA Chile, Fundación Nacional de Jardines Infantiles, Fundación de la Familia, and others. While female president Michelle Bachelet worked, for that position was created an administrative position under her direct appointment, the Director of the social-cultural area of the Presidency, which comprises management of non-profit foundations of the presidency : Integra; Promoción y Desarrollo de la Mujer, Prodemu ; Fundación de la Familia ; Tiempos Nuevos, MIM ; Matucana 100 ; Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Chile ; Artesanías de Chile and Todo Chilenter.

List of first ladies

Footnotes and references