Mario Sáez

Mario Sáez Lagos (9 March 1915 – 21 December 1999) was a Chilean businessman, radio executive, and politician affiliated with the Radical Party. He served as Deputy of the Republic for the 17th Departmental Grouping – Concepción, Tomé, Talcahuano, Yumbel, and Coronel – during the legislative periods 1957–1961 and 1961–1965.

Biography Born in Santiago on 9 March 1915, he was the son of Oscar Sáez Rojas and Julia Lagos Zuñiga. He married María Begoña López Amenábar on 28 September 1950, and they had three children.

He completed his education at the Instituto Nacional in Santiago. His professional career began at Duncan Fox & Co. in Valdivia, after which he transferred to Concepción to work for Standard Oil & Co. From 1939 onward, he became owner and director of the radio station “Radio El Sur” in Concepción. He also served as president of the Chilean Broadcasting Association (ARCHI).

Aviation was another of his passions: in 1944 he was elected president of the Club Aéreo de Concepción and re-elected multiple times. A licensed pilot and civil aviation instructor, he contributed significantly to the promotion of regional aviation and communication networks.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, Sáez began his political career as councilman (regidor) of the Municipality of Concepción from 1947 to 1950, and later served as mayor in 1950.

He was elected Deputy for the 17th Departmental Grouping “Concepción, Tomé, Talcahuano, Yumbel, and Coronel” in 1957 and re-elected for the 1961–1965 term (by the regrouped constituency “Concepción, Tomé, and Talcahuano”). During his parliamentary tenure, he served on the Permanent Commissions of Social Welfare and Hygiene, Internal Government, and Economy and Commerce.

Civic engagement Sáez was a committed participant in Concepción's civic and cultural life. He was a member of the Rotary Club (serving as secretary), the Chilean-French Circle, the Club de Concepción, the Free Academy of Fine Arts, and a founding member of the Chilean-North American Institute of Culture.

He died on 21 December 1999.