Chilean First Lady. She was the widow of President Salvador Allende, who committed suicide on September 11, 1973, as his government was being deposed. Raised in Valparaiso, Chile, Bussi was a history and geography teacher prior to taking a job in the government statistics office. She and Allende met while working on an earthquake relief project in 1939, and married the next year. As her husband rose in the councils of the Socialist Party, she mainly stayed behind the scenes, though working with a number of social aid programs. After traveling with Allende on three unsuccessful presidential campaign, Bussi became first lady upon his 1970 election; three years later, she took refuge in a friend's home as troops under Augusto Pinochet attacked the presidential palace. On the day following the take-over, Bussi was allowed to attend Allende's burial, but not to view the body. Accepting exile to Mexico, she actively campaigned against the Pinochet regime; able to return to Chile with the restoration of civilian rule in 1990, she remained virtually confined to her Santiago home.

Chilean First Lady. She was the widow of President Salvador Allende, who committed suicide on September 11, 1973, as his government was being deposed. Raised in Valparaiso, Chile, Bussi was a history and geography teacher prior to taking a job in the government statistics office. She and Allende met while working on an earthquake relief project in 1939, and married the next year. As her husband rose in the councils of the Socialist Party, she mainly stayed behind the scenes, though working with a number of social aid programs. After traveling with Allende on three unsuccessful presidential campaign, Bussi became first lady upon his 1970 election; three years later, she took refuge in a friend's home as troops under Augusto Pinochet attacked the presidential palace. On the day following the take-over, Bussi was allowed to attend Allende's burial, but not to view the body. Accepting exile to Mexico, she actively campaigned against the Pinochet regime; able to return to Chile with the restoration of civilian rule in 1990, she remained virtually confined to her Santiago home.

Bio by: Bob Hufford