# José Manuel Balmaceda

_Chilean politician and President (1840-1891)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/jose-manuel-balmaceda
Last updated: 2026-11-10

> José Manuel Emiliano Balmaceda Fernández was a Chilean politician who served as the 11th President of Chile from 18 September 1886 to 29 August 1891. A controversial figure, Balmaceda's political disagreements with the Chilean congress led to the 1891 Chilean Civil War. Following the government forces' defeat at the Battle of Placilla, Balmaceda took refuge in the Argentine embassy where he later died by suicide.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 July 1840 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Bucalemu ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P19))
- **Died:** 18 September 1891 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P570))
- **Place of death:** Santiago ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Chile ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat; foreign minister ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P106))
- **Political party:** Liberal Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P102))
- **Education:** Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera; Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Santiago ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P69))
- **Spouse:** Emilia de Toro ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of Chile (18 September 1886 – 29 August 1891); Minister of the Interior of Chile (12 April 1882 – 3 September 1885); minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile (18 September 1881 – 12 April 1882); deputy of Chile; senator of Chile; senator ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322#P39))

## Questions

**When was José Manuel Balmaceda born?**  
José Manuel Balmaceda was born on 19 July 1840 in Bucalemu.

**What positions has José Manuel Balmaceda held?**  
Positions held by José Manuel Balmaceda include: President of Chile (1886–1891); Minister of the Interior of Chile (1882–1885); minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile (1881–1882); deputy of Chile; senator of Chile.

**Where did José Manuel Balmaceda study?**  
José Manuel Balmaceda was educated at Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera, Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Santiago.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): José Manuel Balmaceda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Manuel_Balmaceda) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q1322](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: JoseManuelBalmaceda.JPG by Fernando Laroche (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JoseManuelBalmaceda.JPG)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article José Manuel Balmaceda, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: JoseManuelBalmaceda.JPG — Fernando Laroche, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"José Manuel Balmaceda". DigiNepal. Last updated 10 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/jose-manuel-balmaceda. Retrieved 10 November 2026.