Manuela Caldera

Manuela Mercedes Caldera de Freire (; – 30 May 1865) was the Chilean political activist and the First Lady of Chile during 1827. Following the death of her husband Ramón Freire, Caldera campaigned for the recognition of Freire's legacy. Caldera was the niece of José Joaquín Aguirre and the first cousin of José Joaquín Pérez and Juana Rosa Aguirre. Caldera and Freire had four children, (1829–1884), politician; married Rosario García de la Huerta Pérez Francisco Freire (1839–1900), lawyer, farmer and politician; married Enriqueta Valdés Solar

Caldera was the great-grandmother of the diplomat Carmen Vial Freire Dows, and was the aunt of , a Peruvian military officer and politician.

Career From 25 January 1827 Caldera served as the First Lady of Chile until her husband resigned on 8 May 1827. Caldera successfully positioned for her husband's death sentence to be commuted to ten years exile.

Caldera died on 30 May 1865 and is buried at Santiago General Cemetery