Augusto Pinochet: Former Chilean Military Ruler Dies at 91

Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean army general who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. Born on November 25, 1915, in Valparaiso, he seized power in a coup on September 11, 1973, that overthrew President Salvador Allende.

His government was accused of widespread human-rights abuses, including thousands of deaths, disappearances and acts of torture. His administration also adopted free-market economic reforms. He left office in 1990 after losing a plebiscite in 1988 but remained army commander until 1998.

Pinochet was arrested in London in 1998 on a Spanish warrant and later returned to Chile. He was never convicted at trial. He died of heart failure at a Santiago military hospital on December 10, 2006, at age 91.

Achievements: President of Chile (1974-1990), Commander-in-Chief of the Army (1973-1998).

Birth: November 25, 1915 - Valparaiso, Chile.

Profession: Military ruler.

Interesting Facts: He was under investigation at his death for human-rights cases and financial wrongdoing.