First Ladies of Chile

First Lady of Chile
Flag of Chile
Incumbent Vacant
Residence	La Moneda Palace
Inaugural holder	María Mercedes Fontecilla Valdivieso
Formation	1811

First Lady of Chile (Spanish: Primera Dama de Chile) is the unofficial title for the wife of the President of Chile, who is traditionally responsible for directing and coordinating activities in the social field of the presidency and also accompany the president in ceremonies or official activities, for example, on state visit. In colonial times the wives of the Royal Governors were known as Presidentas, title that was in use during the second half of the 19th century, but was slowly superseded by the newer of First Lady. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the President, there is no clarity for the case of the spouse of a female president, regarding to the work that traditionally are performed by the first lady. In these cases, the title First Gentleman (Primer Caballero; Primer Damo, colloquially) has been proposed. In March 2014, opposition newspaper La Segunda called Bachelet's son Sebastián Dávalos primer damo.

The First Ladies fulfill a protocole function as hostesses, and since 1925, they have had their own private office and staff, and preside over different charitable organizations, such as Ropero del Pueblo (1947–1958), CEMA Chile (1967–1990), Fundación Nacional de Jardines Infantiles, Fundación de la Familia, and others. While female President Michelle Bachelet worked, for that position was created an administrative position under her direct appointment, the Director of the social-cultural area of the Presidency, which comprises management of non-profit foundations of the presidency (Red de Fundaciones de la Presidencia de la República): Integra; Promoción y Desarrollo de la Mujer, Prodemu (Women's promotion and development); Fundación de la Familia (Family foundation); Tiempos Nuevos (New times), MIM (Interactive museums); Matucana 100 (Theater promotion); Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Chile (Youth Orchestras); Artesanías de Chile (Arts and crafts) and Todo Chilenter.