Salvador Allende
28th president of Chile (1908–1973
A democratic route to socialism in Chile
Medicine and parliament
Salvador Allende studied medicine and became involved in student politics before helping found Chile’s Socialist Party in 1933. He entered Congress, served as health minister from 1939 to 1942, and became a senator in 1945. These posts gave him a long parliamentary career before he reached the presidency.
Presidential campaigns
Allende stood for president in 1952, 1958 and 1964 without winning. In 1970 he led the Popular Unity coalition to a narrow electoral victory, proposing a democratic path to socialism. His administration took office that November and pursued land reform and nationalisation, including the copper industry.
Crisis and coup
Economic shortages, inflation and conflict within and outside his coalition deepened during his presidency. On 11 September 1973, a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet attacked the presidential palace. Allende died that day, ending his government and marking the start of military rule in Chile.