Evelyn Matthei
Evelyn Rose Matthei Fornet (born 11 November 1953) is a Chilean politician and the current mayor of Providencia, a prosperous commune of Santiago, serving since 2016. Prior to her current position, she held the role of Deputy in the Chilean Congress from 1990 to 1998, and subsequently served as a Senator from 1998 to 2011. In January 2011, she left her Senate seat to assume the role of Minister of Labor and Social Security under Chilean President Sebastián Piñera until July 2013. In the 2013 Chilean general election, she ran for President with the support of the Independent Democrat Union Party. However, she lost in a runoff to former President Michelle Bachelet.
Evelyn Matthei | |
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Matthei in 2023 | |
Mayor of Providencia | |
Assumed office 6 December 2016 | |
Preceded by | Josefa Errázuriz |
Secretary of Labor and Social Security | |
In office 16 January 2011 – 22 July 2013 | |
President | Sebastián Piñera |
Preceded by | Camila Merino |
Succeeded by | Juan Carlos Jobet |
Senator for Coquimbo | |
In office 11 March 1998 – 16 January 2011 | |
Preceded by | Alberto Cooper |
Succeeded by | Gonzalo Uriarte Herrera |
Personal details | |
Born | Evelyn Rose Matthei Fornet 11 November 1953 Santiago, Chile |
Political party | UDI (1999–present) Independent (1993–1999) RN (Before 1993) |
Other political affiliations | Chile Vamos (2015–present) Alliance (Before 2015) |
Spouse | Jorge Desormeaux Jiménez |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile |
Signature | |
An economist by training, Matthei began her professional career as a lecturer at her alma mater, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, before transitioning to a management role in the private sector. Following Chile's return to democracy in 1988, she ventured into politics. Besides her political career, Matthei is also an accomplished pianist.
After a failed candidacy in the 2021 presidential election, Matthei is emerging as the front-runner for the 2025 presidential election.