Isabel Riquelme

María Isabel Riquelme de la Barrera y Meza was born on 6 March 1758 in Chillán, Captaincy General of Chile (present-day Chile) to Simón Riquelme de la Barrera y Goycochea, a Mayor and landowner, and María Mercedes de Mesa y Ulloa (died 1758). Riquelme's mother died during childbirth. Following a brief relationship, Riquelme became pregnant and gave birth to Bernardo O'Higgins in August 1778. On 1 June 1780, Riquelme married Félix Rodríguez y Rojas (died 1782) with whom she had Rosa Rodríguez y Riquelme. Riquelme later began a relationship with Manuel de Puga y Figueroa in 1789, with whom she a daughter Maria de las Nieves de Puga y Riquelme (1790–1868). ==Chilean War of Independence==

In 1813, Riquelme and her two daughters were taken as prisoners of war by Royalist troops during the Chilean War of Independence. Riquelme and her family were released two months later during a prisoner exchange between Royalist and Patriot forces. In Buenos Aires Riquelme and her daughter Rosa sold and made cigars. ==Return to Chile and Exile==

During Bernardo O'Higgins's position as the Supreme Director of Chile Riquelme was the First Lady of Chile. In 1823, Riquelme joined her son, daughter Rosa, and grandchildren Petronila Riquelme and in exile in Peru. ==Personal life==

On 21 April 1839 Riquelme died in Lima, Republic of North Peru (present-day, Peru). Riquelme is buried at the in Chillán conurbation. ==References==