History of Isabel Allende in Timeline

Isabel Allende is a celebrated Chilean-American author renowned for her contributions to literature, particularly in the realm of magical realism. Her globally successful novels, including 'The House of the Spirits' and 'City of the Beasts,' have solidified her reputation as one of the most widely read Spanish-language authors worldwide. Allende's literary achievements have been recognized with prestigious accolades, such as induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2004, Chile's National Literature Prize in 2010, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Barack Obama in 2014.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1942: Birth in Lima, Peru

In 1942, Isabel Allende was born in Lima, Peru, to Francisca Llona Barros and Tomás Allende, who was a second secretary at the Chilean embassy.

1945: Relocation to Santiago, Chile

In 1945, after her father left, Isabel Allende's mother relocated with her three children to Santiago, Chile, where they lived until 1953.

1953: Family moves frequently due to stepfather's diplomatic postings

In 1953, Isabel Allende's mother married Ramón Huidobro, a diplomat, leading the family to move often to places like Bolivia and Beirut.

1958: Return to Chile and brief home-schooling

In 1958, the family returned to Chile, where Isabel Allende was briefly home-schooled.

1959: Work with the United Nations

From 1959 to 1965, Isabel Allende worked with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Santiago, Brussels, and other parts of Europe.

1962: Married Miguel Frías

In 1962, Isabel Allende married engineering student Miguel Frías.

1963: Birth of daughter Paula

In 1963, Isabel Allende and Miguel Frias had a daughter Paula.

1965: End of UN FAO Work

In 1965, Isabel Allende's work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Santiago, Brussels, and other parts of Europe ended.

1966: Birth of son Nicolás

In 1966, Isabel Allende and Miguel Frias had a son Nicolas.

1967: Editorial staff of Paula magazine

In 1967, Isabel Allende joined the editorial staff of Paula magazine.

1969: Editorial staff of Mampato magazine

From 1969 to 1974, Isabel Allende was on the editorial staff of the children's magazine Mampato, later becoming the editor.

1970: Salvador Allende becomes President of Chile

From 1970 to 1973, Salvador Allende, Isabel Allende's father's first cousin, served as the President of Chile.

1970: Work in Chilean television

From 1970 to 1974, Isabel Allende worked in Chilean television production for channels 7 and 13.

1970: Huidobro appointed ambassador to Argentina

In 1970, Salvador Allende appointed Huidobro, Isabel Allende's stepfather, as ambassador to Argentina.

1973: Play El Embajador played in Santiago

In 1973, Isabel Allende's play El Embajador was performed in Santiago shortly before she was forced to flee the country.

1973: Overthrow of Salvador Allende and exile in Venezuela

In 1973, Salvador Allende was overthrown in a coup, leading Isabel Allende to arrange safe passage for people on "wanted lists" until she herself had to flee to Venezuela, where she stayed for 13 years due to death threats.

1973: End of Salvador Allende's presidency

In 1973, Salvador Allende's presidency ended.

1974: End of work at Mampato magazine

In 1974, Isabel Allende's work on the editorial staff of the children's magazine Mampato ended.

1976: Freelance journalist for El Nacional

From 1976 to 1983, Isabel Allende worked as a freelance journalist for El Nacional in Caracas.

1977: Began writing The House of the Spirits

In 1977, while in Caracas, Isabel Allende received a phone call about her grandfather's failing health and began writing him a letter that would evolve into her novel, "The House of the Spirits".

The House of the Spirits: A Novel

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1978: Temporary separation from Miguel Frías

In 1978, Isabel Allende began a temporary separation from her husband, Miguel Frías, living in Spain for two months before returning to the marriage.

1979: Administrator of the Marrocco School

From 1979 to 1983, Isabel Allende served as an administrator of the Marrocco School in Caracas.

1981: Started writing routine

In 1981, Isabel Allende began a strict writing routine, starting every book on January 8th, a tradition she began with the letter to her dying grandfather that would become "The House of the Spirits".

The House of the Spirits: A Novel

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1982: Publication of The House of the Spirits

In 1982, "The House of the Spirits" was published in Buenos Aires after being rejected by numerous Latin American publishers. It gained significant success and was translated into multiple languages.

The House of the Spirits: A Novel

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1983: End of work as freelance journalist for El Nacional

In 1983, Isabel Allende ended her work as a freelance journalist for El Nacional in Caracas.

1987: Divorced Miguel Frías

In 1987, Isabel Allende divorced Miguel Frías.

July 1988: Married William C. Gordon

In July 1988, Isabel Allende married her second husband, California attorney and novelist William C. "Willie" Gordon.

1989: Moved to California

In 1989, Isabel Allende moved to California, where she would later become a United States citizen in 1993.

1991: Medical mishap resulting in Paula's brain damage

In 1991, Paula, Isabel Allende's daughter, suffered severe brain damage due to an error in her medication, leaving her in a vegetative state.

December 1992: Death of Paula

On December 6, 1992, Paula, Isabel Allende's daughter, died in a hospital in California after suffering from severe brain damage due to a medical mishap.

1992: Death of daughter Paula

In 1992, Isabel Allende's and Miguel Frias's daughter Paula passed away at the age of 29.

1992: Death of Paula Frías Allende

In 1992, Paula Frías Allende, Isabel Allende's daughter, died at the age of 29 due to complications from the disease porphyria. This later inspired the Isabel Allende Foundation.

1993: Granted United States citizenship

In 1993, Isabel Allende became a United States citizen, having lived in California since 1989.

1994: Gabriela Mistral Order of Merit

In 1994, Isabel Allende was awarded the Gabriela Mistral Order of Merit, becoming the first woman to receive this honor.

1995: Publication of Paula

In 1995, Isabel Allende published "Paula", a memoir about her childhood in Santiago and her years in exile, written as a letter to her daughter.

December 1996: Started the Isabel Allende Foundation

On December 9, 1996, Isabel Allende started the Isabel Allende Foundation in honor of her daughter, Paula Frías Allende, to support programs that promote and preserve the fundamental rights of women and children.

2002: Publication of City of the Beasts

In 2002, Isabel Allende published "City of the Beasts" (La ciudad de las bestias), which became commercially successful and contributed to her recognition.

City of the Beasts (Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar, 1)

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2004: Induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters

In 2004, Isabel Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, marking a significant honor in her career.

2006: Flag bearer at the Winter Olympics

In 2006, Isabel Allende was one of the eight flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

2007: Tales of Passion at TED

In 2007, Isabel Allende presented the talk "Tales of Passion" at TED.

2007: Named one of the most influential Latino leaders

In 2007, Latino Leaders Magazine named Isabel Allende the third most influential Latino leader in the world, referring to her as a "literary legend".

2008: Publication of The Sum of Our Days

In 2008, Isabel Allende published "The Sum of Our Days", a memoir focusing on her life with her family.

The Sum of Our Days: A Memoir

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2008: Honorary degree from San Francisco State University

In 2008, Isabel Allende received the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from San Francisco State University for her "distinguished contributions as a literary artist and humanitarian."

October 2010: JK Rowling awarded H.C. Andersen Literature Prize

In October 2010, JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, received the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize.

2010: Publication of Island Beneath the Sea

In 2010, Isabel Allende published "Island Beneath the Sea", a novel set in New Orleans.

2010: Recipient of Chile's National Literature Prize

In 2010, Isabel Allende received Chile's National Literature Prize, a prestigious award recognizing her contributions to literature.

2010: H.C. Andersen Literature Prize was awarded to JK Rowling

In October 2010, the H.C. Andersen Literature Prize was awarded to JK Rowling.

2011: Publication of El cuaderno de Maya (Maya's Notebook)

In 2011, Isabel Allende published "El cuaderno de Maya" (Maya's Notebook), a novel with settings alternating between Berkeley, California, Chiloé in Chile, and Las Vegas, Nevada.