Resilience and Reform: Chile’s First Female President
Some of you may know Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria as the first female president of Chile; however, her formidable journey to get there may not be as widely known. I will discuss how her unwavering dedication to public service, deep-rooted belief in social equality, and pragmatic approach to governance were forged through life experiences.
Early Influences and Adversity
Michelle Bachelet was immersed in a politically active and socially conscious environment from an early age. The 1973 military coup introduced profound adversity to Bachelet’s life, including detention for months, interrogation, and exile for four years.
Her father, Alberto Arturo Miguel Bachelet Martínez (1923–1974), was an Air Force Brigadier General who opposed the September 11, 1973 military coup d’etat. He was arrested for his dissent and died in custody after the torture he endured exacerbated a heart condition. Perpetrators of the torture were not tried and found guilty until 2014, and only one served a sentence of three years and one day.
Her mother, Ángela Margarita Jeria Gómez (1926–2020), was studying archaeology when her studies were interrupted by imprisonment and torture due to her husband’s opposition to the coup. Jeria instilled a sense of social responsibility and political awareness in her daughter through her activism, which was initiated during her exile to Australia and persisted after returning to Chile in 1979.
Academic Pursuits and Political Awakening
Initially, Bachelet planned to study economics or sociology, but after her father’s urging, she pursued a medical education at the University of Chile and again later, due to interruption by her exile, at the Humboldt University of Berlin.
After five months at the Humboldt University of Berlin, she returned to Chile, where she completed her education to become a surgeon on January 7, 1983. She then pursued a Master’s in Public Health and specialized in Pediatric Surgery. Bachelet continued her education, earning a Master’s in Military Sciences from the National Academy of Political and Strategic Studies.
These academic and war experiences motivated her to engage in politics.
Political Career and Leadership
Before becoming Chile’s President, Bachelet held multiple positions, preparing her for what was yet to come. These included Minister for Health (2000–2002), where she reduced public healthcare waiting lists by 90%, and Minister for National Defense (2002–2004), where she became the first woman to hold this position in a Latin American country.
Bachelet’s political leadership goals aimed to reduce inequality and enhance the Chilean people’s welfare. Therefore, her two non-consecutive terms (2006–2010 and 2014–2018) were characterized by significant education, healthcare, and social security reforms.
Since Bachelet identified education as a fundamental right and a critical contributor to achieving social equity, she overhauled the education system by improving early childhood education by signing the “Chile Grow with You” program into law, providing social services to children in need from 0–6 years old, and making advanced education more accessible where 200,000 students from low-income families could attend college for free, democratizing higher education.
Public health services were also improved, and coverage expanded, ensuring vulnerable communities had access to needed healthcare. Pension reforms were initiated to provide better security for older adults and improve living standards for many by guaranteeing a minimum 60% pension for the poorest segment of the population regardless of the employee’s contribution history.
Additionally, she introduced equity pay protection for subcontractors, guaranteeing equal pay despite gender differences. She also worked for the recognition of constitutional rights for the indigenous Mapuche people.
Many commended her, domestically and internationally, for her leadership style that combined compassion with effectiveness. She faced political opposition and societal conservatism, setting a precedent for the first female leadership in Latin America. Her reforms were met with widespread acclaim and sharp criticism reflective of the polarized Chilean landscape.
Lower — and middle-income families lent considerable support and appreciation for the changes that primarily benefitted them. They applauded her efforts to decrease the divide between the wealthy and the poor. However, conservative political factions and business leaders argued that her reforms would negatively impact the economy by discouraging investment and augmenting government spending.
The division of opinions regarding her public policies was related to more than divergent economic philosophies. There was significant resistance to change in a country with a complex political history and deeply entrenched inequities. Nevertheless, she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her compatriots, negotiating this contentious political landscape and advancing her vision for Chile while simultaneously breaking the glass ceiling.
Personal Life and Legacy
In addition to her remarkable career, Michelle Bachelet is a devoted mother of three. Her role as a mother and her personal experiences of resilience in the face of political and unique challenges have deeply influenced her approach to policy-making, making her a relatable and empathetic figure to many. She also contended with adversity in a predominantly Roman Catholic country as a professed agnostic and divorcee.
Her presidency offers valuable lessons for leaders worldwide regarding the criticality of resilience and adaptability in the face of mounting resistance. She demonstrated that a leader must traverse periods of intense scrutiny and opposition by remaining true to their vision and still open to dialogue and compromise to enact enduring change.
Bachelet underscored her effort to secure reform sustainability by building broad-based coalitions that include civil society, grassroots organizations, and other political factions. She illustrated how publicly communicating the long-term benefits of her policies effectively, despite the short-lived periods of backlash, is critical to garnering buy-in support and moving agendas forward.
From her tenure, we can learn that pushing social change may be divisive, but patience, persistence, and the capacity to engage with allies and adversaries alike are indispensable qualities for effective leaders.
Final Thoughts
Michelle Bachelet’s tenure as Chile’s first female president represents a watershed moment in the Country’s history, signifying a bold stride toward gender equality and social justice. Her subsequent role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–2022) is another testament to her unrelenting commitment to these issues.
She inspires future generations of women leaders worldwide, proving resilience, dedication, and a clear vision can empower one to overcome manufactured barriers and become a catalyst for enduring change. We honor and thank her for her service!
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