Michael Jacobides
Sir Donald Gordon Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, London Business School | World Authority on Business Ecosystems | Thinkers50-Ranked | On Strategy & AI
Michelle Bachelet
First Woman President of Chile (2006-2010 & 2014-2018) | Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights | First Executive Director of UN Women | Physician & Global Leader
Michelle Bachelet is a global stateswoman who has led at the highest levels of national government and the United Nations. The first woman elected President of Chile, serving two terms, she became the first Executive Director of UN Women and then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. A physician whose own life was marked by dictatorship and exile, she is one of the world's most respected voices on democracy, human rights, and women's leadership.
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Michelle Bachelet biography
Global affairs speaker Michelle Bachelet is one of the most accomplished stateswomen of her generation, a leader who has governed a nation and helped steer the United Nations on some of its most consequential missions. She made history as the first woman elected President of Chile, serving two terms, and went on to lead two of the UN’s most important institutions: as the first Executive Director of UN Women and, later, as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Few people can speak to democracy, human rights, and leadership with her combination of authority and lived experience.
A physician by training, Bachelet’s commitment to human rights was forged in the hardest of circumstances. During Chile’s military dictatorship, her father died in detention and she and her mother were imprisoned before being forced into exile. She returned home to complete her training as a pediatrician and public-health specialist, and entered public service as her country rebuilt its democracy, becoming Chile’s, and Latin America’s, first woman Minister of Defense, as well as its Minister of Health, before winning the presidency.
A Global Champion of Human Rights and Equality
As President, Bachelet advanced ambitious reforms, from pensions and education to the creation of Chile’s national human-rights institution and its Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, and pioneered gender-balanced cabinets. Internationally, she built UN Women from the ground up as its founding leader, championing women’s economic empowerment and the fight to end violence against women, and from 2018 to 2022 served as the United Nations’ principal human-rights official. Trained as a physician, she has also led global health and social-protection initiatives with the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization.
As a speaker, Michelle Bachelet is dignified, warm, and profoundly inspiring, sharing the perspective of a leader who has confronted adversity and helped shape history. She speaks on democratic leadership and governance, human rights and social justice, women’s empowerment and gender equality, and the future of Latin America and the multilateral order. Delivering her keynotes fluently in Spanish and English, she leaves audiences moved by her story and clearer on what courageous, principled leadership can achieve in the face of the world’s hardest challenges.
Michelle Bachelet Speaking Videos
Human Rights in a New Era (VO) - Lecture by Michelle Bachelet
"Celebrating UN Women" Symposium Keynote: Michelle Bachelet (2011)
Michelle Bachelet Keynote Topics
Michelle Bachelet has led at the highest levels through some of the most challenging moments imaginable, governing Chile during the 2008 global financial crisis and steering the United Nations' human-rights work in a turbulent world. In this keynote she shares the leadership lessons of a lifetime at the top: how to make difficult decisions under pressure, build trust and consensus across divides, and lead with both strength and humanity. A powerful, authoritative talk for leaders navigating uncertainty and change.
Few people have done more to advance human rights on the world stage than Michelle Bachelet, the UN's former principal human-rights official and the founder of institutions dedicated to justice and dignity. Drawing on both her global work and her own experience, she explores why human rights and social justice matter more than ever, the threats they face today, and how leaders, organizations, and citizens can help protect and expand them. A moving, thought-provoking keynote on one of the defining issues of our time.
As the first woman President of Chile, the first woman Defense Minister in Latin America, and the founding Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet is one of the world's most powerful voices on gender equality. In this inspiring keynote she shares what it takes to break barriers, lead as a woman at the highest levels, and build the policies and cultures that allow women and girls everywhere to thrive. An empowering, evidence-based message for leadership programs, women's events, and any organization committed to equity.
Michelle Bachelet's life is a testament to the human capacity to turn suffering into purpose. Imprisoned and forced into exile as a young woman, she went on to become a physician, a president, and a global leader for human rights. In this deeply personal keynote, she shares how she found the strength to endure, forgive, and rebuild, and what her journey teaches about resilience, courage, and hope. A profoundly moving talk that leaves audiences inspired to face their own challenges with dignity and determination.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Michelle Bachelet
Why Michelle Bachelet?
Booking Michelle Bachelet brings audiences a truly historic figure, a two-time President, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the founding leader of UN Women, whose combination of national and global leadership is virtually unmatched. She offers the rare, firsthand perspective of a stateswoman who has governed a country, shaped the international human-rights agenda, and overcome extraordinary personal adversity. Dignified, warm, and profoundly inspiring, she is equally compelling on democratic leadership, human rights, women's empowerment, and resilience, and she speaks fluently in both Spanish and English, making her an exceptional choice for international and Latin American events. She is ideal for events on global affairs, leadership, human rights, women in business, and social impact. To bring Michelle Bachelet to your next event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
Who is Michelle Bachelet?
Michelle Bachelet is a Chilean physician, stateswoman, and one of the world's most respected leaders on human rights and gender equality. She was the first woman elected President of Chile, serving two terms (2006-2010 and 2014-2018), and previously became Chile's, and Latin America's, first woman Minister of Defense, as well as its Minister of Health. A pediatrician by training whose family suffered imprisonment and exile under Chile's dictatorship, she went on to serve as the first Executive Director of UN Women and, from 2018 to 2022, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN's principal human-rights official. Today she remains an influential voice in global affairs, academia, and international organizations.
What roles has Michelle Bachelet held at the United Nations?
Michelle Bachelet has held two of the most senior human-rights and gender-equality roles in the United Nations system. In 2010, after her first presidential term, she was appointed the first Executive Director of UN Women, the newly created UN entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, where she focused on women's economic empowerment and ending violence against women. Later, from September 2018 to August 2022, she served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN's principal human-rights official, leading the organization's human-rights work around the world, including reporting on human-rights situations in numerous countries. She has also chaired global health and social-protection initiatives with the WHO and the ILO.
What topics does global affairs speaker Michelle Bachelet cover?
Michelle Bachelet speaks on democratic leadership and governance, human rights and social justice, women's empowerment and gender equality, resilience, and the future of Latin America and the multilateral order. Her keynotes suit events on global affairs, leadership, human rights, women's empowerment, healthcare and public health, and social impact, and she presents fluently in both Spanish and English. To book Michelle Bachelet as a speaker, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Michelle Bachelet as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Michelle Bachelet as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Michelle Bachelet's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Michelle Bachelet or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Michelle Bachelet speaking fee?
Michelle Bachelet speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Michelle Bachelet to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Michelle Bachelet.
How can I contact Michelle Bachelet?
We only work with Michelle Bachelet on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Michelle Bachelet and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Michelle Bachelet speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Michelle Bachelet for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Michelle Bachelet for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Michelle Bachelet is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Michelle Bachelet for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
