Mercedes Fontecilla
María Mercedes Fontecilla y Fernández de Valdivieso (June 18, 1799 – May 5, 1853) was a First Lady of Chile.
Mercedes Fontecilla | |
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| First Lady of Chile | |
| In role 1811–1813 | |
| President | José Miguel Carrera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | María Mercedes Fontecilla y Fernández de Valdivieso June 18, 1799 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | May 5, 1853 (aged 53) Santiago, Chile |
| Nationality | Chilean |
| Spouse(s) | Diego José Benavente
(m. 1823) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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Mercedes Fontecilla was born in Santiago, the daughter of Diego Antonio Fontecilla Palacios and of Rosa Fernández de Valdivieso y Portusagasti. She married José Miguel Carrera Verdugo on August 20, 1814, and together they had five children: Francisca Javiera, Roberta, Rosa, Josefa and José Miguel Carrera Fontecilla (who was born after the death of his father, and was in turn the father of Ignacio Carrera Pinto, hero of the War of the Pacific.) After the defeat of Rancagua, together with her husband, she emigrated to Argentina. Mercedes Fontecilla followed him during all his campaigns and was allowed to return to Chile only in 1821.
After the execution of General Carrera in 1823, she married Diego José Benavente, with whom she another four children: Benjamín, Mercedes, Mariana and Carolina. She died in Santiago at the age of 54.
See also
External links
- Genealogical chart of José Miguel Carrera (in Spanish)
- Testament of José Miguel Carrera (in Spanish)
| Honorary titles | ||
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| Preceded by Nicolasa Valdés |
First Lady of Chile 1811–1813 |
Succeeded by Isabel Riquelme |