Chile's Ex-President Pinera Dies

Chile's former president Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire tycoon who twice held the South American nation's top job, died in a helicopter crash, his office said in a statement.

The 74-year-old Pinera often flew himself around in his own helicopter, and was a former shareholder in the country's national airline, with stakes in television and football, among other businesses.

The crash took place in Lago Ranco, a lake district some 920 kilometers south of Santiago, where Pinera spent vacations with his children and grandchildren.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the death of the former president of the Republic of Chile," his office said in a statement.

Three other people who had been in the helicopter survived the crash.

Pinera served two non-consecutive terms in office, between 2010 and 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022.

In 2010, the Harvard-educated economist convinced the electorate that his personal success in business could be transferred to the benefit of society.

He managed to bring back to power a revamped right-wing that had rid itself of the baggage of being associated with Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.

"He will have all the honors and recognition that he deserves," said Interior Minister Carolina Toha, of the leftist government of President Gabriel Boric, who succeeded Pinera in 2022.

During his first mandate, he led the country's reconstruction efforts after a powerful earthquake and tsunami in 2010, and oversaw the successful rescue of 33 miners trapped in the Atacama Desert.

Pinera ended his second term in office with low approval ratings.

At the time of his death, Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at $2.4 billion.

Pinera was married with four children and nine grandchildren.