Michelle Bachelet

Bachelet served as Minister of Health under President Ricardo Lagos from 2000 to 2002. She implemented reforms to improve the public health system, including the expansion of primary care and the reduction of waiting times.

Bachelet was appointed Minister of Defense by President Ricardo Lagos in 2002, becoming the first woman to hold that position in Chile and in Latin America. She oversaw the modernization of the armed forces and promoted gender equality within the military.

Bachelet launched the Chile Crece Contigo (Chile Grows with You) system in 2006, a comprehensive social protection program for children from gestation to age four. The program provided healthcare, education, and social support to reduce inequality.

Michelle Bachelet won the 2005-2006 presidential election as the candidate of the Concertaci

Bachelet won the 2013 presidential election, returning to office for a second term from 2014 to 2018. She campaigned on a platform of educational reform, tax reform, and a new constitution.

Bachelet announced a process to draft a new constitution for Chile in 2015, aiming to replace the 1980 constitution inherited from the Pinochet dictatorship. The process stalled due to political opposition and was not completed during her term.