Chile’s Former President Sebastian Piñera Dies in Helicopter Crash, Reports Reuters

By Natalia A. Ramos Miranda, Anthony Esposito, and Fabian Cambero

SANTIAGO – Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on Tuesday, prompting the nation he once led for two terms to enter a period of mourning. Leaders across Latin America expressed their condolences following the news.

The helicopter, carrying Pinera, 74, and three other individuals, crashed into a lake in southern Chile. Rescue personnel pronounced the former president dead shortly after arriving at the site, while the remaining passengers survived the incident. Sources indicate that Pinera was piloting the helicopter, although this has not been officially confirmed, nor has the planned destination for the flight been disclosed.

Pinera often spent summers in the scenic southern regions of Chile, frequently piloting his own helicopter during these visits. In response to his passing, President Gabriel Boric announced three days of national mourning, as preparations began for a state funeral scheduled for Friday. Pinera served two non-consecutive terms in office from 2010 to 2022.

Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed that the ex-president’s body had been recovered near Lago Ranco. She remarked, "We remember him for the way he dedicated his life to public service," highlighting her involvement in ongoing efforts to combat deadly wildfires in the country.

Pinera is perhaps best remembered internationally for his role in the remarkable rescue of 33 miners trapped beneath the Atacama Desert in 2010, which captured global media attention and later inspired a film, "The 33." Domestically, he was recognized as a successful businessman whose first presidential term benefitted from significant economic growth but who was often perceived as disconnected from the rapidly evolving societal landscape.

Both of his presidencies were marked by significant unrest, first with student protests advocating for educational reform, followed by widespread and sometimes violent demonstrations against social inequality during his second term. This latter period culminated in the government’s commitment to drafting a new constitution.

After leaving office, Pinera remained an active political figure, voicing his opinions on various issues, including the failed attempt to create a new constitution and aligning himself with conservative politicians in the region, such as Argentine President Javier Milei. Former Argentine President Mauricio Macri expressed his sadness at Pinera’s death, describing him as a good person dedicated to Chile and the values of freedom and democracy in Latin America.

Born to a prominent centrist politician, Pinera was a Harvard-educated economist who rose to wealth by introducing credit cards in Chile during the 1980s. He was a significant shareholder in several enterprises, including a major airline, a popular soccer team, and a television station, though he sold most of his assets upon taking the presidency in March 2010. By 2024, he was listed among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $2.7 billion.

Known for his ambitious and competitive nature, friends described Pinera as assertive, sometimes veering into bullying, with a reluctance to delegate tasks. He was also an adventurous spirit, enjoying activities like deep-sea diving.

After serving as a center-right senator, he positioned himself as a modern leader of the right, successfully appealing to moderate voters. He distanced himself from the legacy of General Augusto Pinochet’s regime, during which numerous suspected leftists were executed or vanished.

Pinera’s initial bid for the presidency in 2005 was unsuccessful; however, he won in 2009 against former president Eduardo Frei, ending a 20-year center-left dominance and moving past the painful memories of Pinochet’s dictatorship.

Although he enjoyed a brief period of favor with the electorate, his stiff demeanor contrasted with the approachable style of his predecessor and successor, Michelle Bachelet. Despite receiving praise for his government’s economic performance, many Chileans believed he fell short in addressing the country’s deep-seated inequalities and the challenges within its education system.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Morel, and their four children.