Hugo Gálvez

Hugo Gálvez Gajardo (18 March 1920 – 22 March 1995) was a Chilean lawyer, academic, businessman, and right-wing politician. He served twice as Chile's Minister of Labor: first under President Jorge Alessandri (1960–1963), and later during the military government of General Augusto Pinochet (1983–1984).

He was also mayor of San Bernardo in two non-consecutive terms and later became the founding rector of the Universidad Central de Chile.

Early life and education Gálvez was born in Valparaíso to Víctor Gálvez Bonmaison and Teresa Gajardo Ariagada. He studied law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, graduating in 1946 with the thesis «De la terminación del mandato civil» (“On the Termination of Civil Mandate”). He also pursued studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Seminary of Santiago.

He married Amelia Carvallo Andrade, with whom he had seven children: Amelia, Eduardo Víctor, Hugo Gabriel, Jorge Fernando, Ruby, Teresa Marina, and Víctor Hugo.

Political career After working privately as a lawyer, Gálvez entered local politics in San Bernardo, serving as a councillor (regidor) from 1947 to 1950. He was elected mayor of the commune in two separate periods: 1950–1953 and 1956–1959.

Professional career After leaving the ministry in 1984, Gálvez held several public-sector positions: legal officer at the Ministry of Justice, counsel for the Commission of International Exchange, and legal counsel for both the Central Bank of Chile and the Banco del Estado de Chile. From 1992 to 1994 he served as president of the Corporation of Private Universities of Chile.

He was declared “Illustrious Son” of San Bernardo in 1994.

Death Gálvez died in Santiago on 22 March 1995 at the age of 75 from cardiovascular complications.