Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, commonly known as Michelle Bachelet, is a prominent Chilean politician, physician, and diplomat. Born on September 29, 1951, in Santiago, Chile, she grew up in a military family; her father, Alberto Bachelet, was an air force general who opposed the 1973 coup d'état led by Augusto Pinochet and was subsequently tortured and died in custody. Bachelet herself was arrested, tortured, and exiled during the Pinochet regime, experiences that shaped her commitment to human rights and democracy. She studied medicine at the University of Chile, graduating as a pediatrician and later specializing in public health and epidemiology in the United States during her exile. Returning to Chile in 1979, she worked as a pediatrician and entered politics in the 1990s, joining the Socialist Party and serving in various roles, including as Minister of Health (2002-2004) and Minister of Defense (2004-2006), becoming the first woman in that position.

Bachelet made history as the first female President of Chile, serving two non-consecutive terms from 2006 to 2010 and 2014 to 2018. Elected in 2006 with 54% of the vote, her first administration focused on social reforms, including free healthcare for the poor, educational improvements, and pension enhancements, earning her high approval ratings. Re-elected in 2013 with over 62% of the vote—the first re-election since 1932—she pursued ambitious structural reforms in education, taxation, and abortion laws, though some initiatives faced congressional resistance. After her presidency, Bachelet was appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018, serving until 2022. In this role, she oversaw global human rights reports, including controversial assessments on situations in Xinjiang, China, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing both praise for advocacy and criticism for perceived biases.

Throughout her career, Bachelet has been a leading figure in gender equality, founding the first United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) as its executive director from 2010 to 2013. She has received numerous international awards for her work on women's rights and human rights. As of 2023, she resides in Chile and remains active in public life, advocating for democratic values and social justice.