Lucia Hiriart, the widow of Chilean dictator Pinochet, has died at the age of 99 Obituary News

Hiriarte provoked strong reactions among the Chileans over his influence on Pinochet, who ruled for 17 years.

Lucia Hiriart, widow of the former dictator of Chile Augusto Pinochet, Died at the age of 99, his family said.

His death occurred three days earlier on Thursday polarized presidential expulsion Chile in which one of the two candidates he defended his heritage Pinochet’s military regime.

The city sparked strong reactions among the Chileans He had a great influence on Pinochet and the wealth he had amassed by his family. His estate was managed by a controversial foundation, which underwent several judicial investigations.

“At the age of 99 and surrounded by family and friends, my beloved grandmother passed away. It leaves a lasting impression on our hearts, ”posted Karina Pinochet’s granddaughter on Twitter.

“He devoted his life to serving the Chileans and history will know how to value his great work and the work he has done for our beloved people. Rest in peace.”

Pinochet, a military general, it overthrew the democratically elected the left-wing government in a bloody 1973 coup. During his 17-year reign, more than 3,000 people died or so extinct and tortured tens of thousands.

During the dictatorship 1970s and 1980s, Chile also established a large part of the current market-oriented economic system, which has helped drive growth for decades but also it encouraged inequality.

In a biography of journalist Alejandra Matus, Hiriart is described as a tough character who was often criticized by her husband. They were both married from 1943 to 2006, when Pinochet died.

Chileans will vote a new president on Sunday, between progressive Gabriel Boric and far-right Jose Antonio Kast Jose Antonio Kast, he had previously defended Pinochet’s legacy and said he would vote for it if the former dictator were alive.

“Lucia Hiriart lived with impunity, despite the deep pain and division that plagued our country,” Boric tweeted after his death. He called for “more respect” for the victims of the dictatorship and for the Chileans to work “for justice and a decent life.”

Kaste did not immediately report Hiriart’s death on social media.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, who announced a caste rally in Santiago’s capital on Thursday, the last day of the pre-election campaign, said the race was very close and that “every vote will count” on Sunday.

For many Chileans, Kast – an ultra – conservative and staunch Catholic who is against abortion same-sex marriage “It represents the past,” said Newman.

But he is also a candidate for law and order, “and that is something that many Chileans want after two years. social unrest“That’s why a lot of people have turned to him at this time of polarization.”