Cecilia Morel
Encyclopedia
Cecilia Morel Montes is the spouse of the President of Chile
Sebastián Piñera
, and as such is the First Lady of Chile; she is also the Sociocultural Area Director of the Presidency, for her husband's presidency (2010-2014).
At the age of 19, she began dating Sebastián Piñera, who was her neighbor in the Avenida Américo Vespucio, in the eastern sector of Santiago. They married in December 1973 and the couple later moved to the United States where he studied economics. The couple has four children: Magdalena, Cecilia, Juan Sebastián and Cristóbal.
She then entered the Instituto Profesional Carlos Casanueva, from which she graduated with a degree in family and youth counselor. She also holds a degree in Family and Human Relations from the Universidad Mayor.
In 1989, together with professionals from the Instituto Carlos Casanueva (Enrique Cueto), founded what later became "La Casa de la Juventud", with the task of educating young Conchalí with growth workshops and personal development. Later, the Women Embark Foundation was derived from this project.
, Morel said her family had stopped buying Coca-Cola
branded items, due to the economic crisis that affected Chile and the world that year. This was widely criticized, even ridiculed, as her husband, Sebastián Piñera, was one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country.
She was with her husband the entire time at the site of the rescue operation for the Chilean miners, who were trapped deep underground in the 2010 Copiapó mining accident
.
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
Sebastián Piñera
Sebastián Piñera
Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique is a Chilean businessman and politician. He was elected President of Chile in January 2010, taking office in March 2010.- Education :...
, and as such is the First Lady of Chile; she is also the Sociocultural Area Director of the Presidency, for her husband's presidency (2010-2014).
Early Years
Cecilia is the fourth of seven children born to Eduardo Montes Chaigneau and Paulina Montes Brunet, the sister of Hugo Montes Brunet. Cecilia attended grade school at the College Jeanne D'Arc de Santiago de Chile, the same school where her mother and grandmother (Consuelo Brunet Bunster) studied.At the age of 19, she began dating Sebastián Piñera, who was her neighbor in the Avenida Américo Vespucio, in the eastern sector of Santiago. They married in December 1973 and the couple later moved to the United States where he studied economics. The couple has four children: Magdalena, Cecilia, Juan Sebastián and Cristóbal.
Advanced Studies and Social Work
In 1972, she began to study nursing at the Catholic University of Chile, but put her studies on hold when she moved abroad with her husband. She resumed her studies when they returned to Chile, which she continued until the birth of her second daughter, Cecilia. She is short one semester of graduating.She then entered the Instituto Profesional Carlos Casanueva, from which she graduated with a degree in family and youth counselor. She also holds a degree in Family and Human Relations from the Universidad Mayor.
In 1989, together with professionals from the Instituto Carlos Casanueva (Enrique Cueto), founded what later became "La Casa de la Juventud", with the task of educating young Conchalí with growth workshops and personal development. Later, the Women Embark Foundation was derived from this project.
Controversies
In April 2009, in an interview with the national newspaper El MercurioEl Mercurio
El Mercurio is a conservative Chilean newspaper with editions in Valparaíso and Santiago. Its Santiago edition is considered the country's paper-of-record and its Valparaíso edition is the oldest daily in the Spanish language currently in circulation. El Mercurio is owned by El Mercurio S.A.P...
, Morel said her family had stopped buying Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
branded items, due to the economic crisis that affected Chile and the world that year. This was widely criticized, even ridiculed, as her husband, Sebastián Piñera, was one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country.
Copiapó mining accident
The Chilean President Sebastian Piñera and his wife Cecilia Morel gave a press conference before the start of the rescue operation in Copiapó on October 12, 2010. When the first miner Florencio Ávalos was rescued, the miner's seven-year old son burst into tears, as did the first lady.She was with her husband the entire time at the site of the rescue operation for the Chilean miners, who were trapped deep underground in the 2010 Copiapó mining accident
2010 Copiapó mining accident
The 2010 Copiapó mining accident, also known as the "Chilean mining accident", began in the afternoon of Thursday, 5 August 2010 as a significant cave-in at the troubled 121-year-old San José copper–gold mine. The mine is located deep in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest and harshest...
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