Bernardo O'Higgins, a member of the O'Higgins family, was born in the Chilean city of Chillán in 1778, the illegitimate son of Ambrosio O'Higgins, 1st Marquis of Osorno, a Spanish officer born in County Sligo, Ireland, who became governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru. His mother was Isabel Riquelme, a prominent local; the daughter of Don Simón Riquelme y Goycolea, a member of the Chillán Cabildo, or council.
Bernardo was educated at the San Carlos College, Lima.
Due to the French revolutionary war, Bernardo did not return to Chile until later in 1802. His father had died the previous year and left behind a big farm for his son. The farm was named Hacienda Las Canteras. On his return, he embraced his father's surname and became a farmer. His father’s prominence would see him elected as the city council representative.
It is during this time in 1808 that Napoleone the French military and political leader captured Spain, a move that resulted in a series of happenings in South America. In Chile, Bernardo played a major role in the creation of an independent government that would rule as an alternative at the wake of the apprehension of King Ferdinand VII who was then King of Spain. It was during this time that Juan Martinez de Rozas and José Miguel Carrera were at the brink of war due their endless misunderstandings. Bernardo had gotten to know de Rozas and even given him many of his laborers to serve in his army. In return, Rozas gave Bernardo a minor military role.
In 1813, Chile had already acquired a constitution that would see to it that the country did not sink into civil war. However, these efforts were thwarted when the viceroy (deputy principal of the sovereign) of Peru decided to re-introduce royal authority. By now Bernardo was promoted to become the chief in general of the forces. He went ahead to be assigned the duties of governor of the province of Concepción.
Here, he led a war in the October of 1814 that he and his troop excruciatingly lost, prompting their running to exile in Argentine. He spent his exile years planning on how to recapture Chile which he did in 1817 in a war that was won as a combination of the Argentine army led by José de San Martín and Chilean aliens.
His quest for work is recognizable. When his father died leaving him his big farm, he resolved to make it one of the most successful farms ever. He worked on the farm and even employed servants to help him achieve his dream. He was willing to assist where he could in order to see to it that his country became independent. He went out of his way and gave De Rozas his servants his servants so they could serve in his army. Even though de Rozas showed little appreciation, he still worked for him. He only gave up after realizing that de Rozas was out to manipulate him. In everything, he set out his mind to do he did it like he wouldn’t have a second chance to repeat the same. He was unperturbed even after the army he led was defeated. He went to set out different strategies that saw him recapture his country.
He found himself in the army, leading the navy and the military. He displayed a spirit of a uniting figure when he rose to power. With his days as the supreme director remaining famous for the serenity, the people of Chile enjoyed. He saw to it that he formed a government that was striving towards working hard and selflessly for the purpose of the people of Chile.
His hard work was not in vain. He goes down in history as one of the richest landowners of our time. He did not allow the term illegitimate hold him back from doing what he deemed right. And even though his illegitimacy would at times close doors for him, he always worked his way through to success.
Bernardo became a leading figure in the movement for emancipation from Spain and the first head of an independent Chilean Republic. O'Higgins established a new "controversial" constitution, which many regarded as a desperate attempt to hang on to power.
O'Higgins is widely commemorated today, both in Chile and beyond. One of the administrative regions of Chile was named Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region in his honour, as were other placenames such as the village of Villa O'Higgins.
O'Higgins' proposed radical and liberal reforms, such as the establishment of democracy and abolition of titles of nobility, were resisted by the powerful large landowners. The main thoroughfare of the Chilean capital, Santiago, is Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins. There is also the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. In the town of San Vicente de Cañete, situated in the Lima Region, in Peru, there's a park and street named after him.
Though he lacked outstanding gifts of generalship, he possessed great personal courage, energy, and tenacity. O'Higgins was a man of simple and upright character and liberal principles.
According to a 2001 documentary, O'Higgins also had a daughter, Petronila (born circa 1809) by Patricia Rodríguez.
