Famous Arbëresh-Albanians of Chile

By Fahri Xharra                                               

 With the help of my friend Pleurat Citaku I got some informations about Albanians-Arbëresh of Chile.

We are talking about a state of South America or Latin America - Chile, a state-created after the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, where the old Inca lived - an autochthonous population.

Like everywhere else in the world, here live Arbëresh of Italy who are know for their roots - since the Ottoman invasion of Albania after the death of Skanderbeg, 500 years ago. The exact number of Arbëresh living in Chile is uknown until now.

This time I will reveal four famous Arbëreshes in the World from Chile.

1. Cecilia Bolocco was born in May, 1965, actress, Miss Universe 1987 of Chile and the World.

Cecilia Bolocco

Cecilia Bolocco (born Cecilia Carolina Bolocco Fonck on May 19, 1965) is a Chilean actress, TV host, and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universo Chile 1987 and Miss Universe 1987.

2. Diana Catalina Bolocco Fonck (born 30 July 1977) Chilean journalist, and Cecilia Bolocco's sister, Miss Universe 1987. Bolocco is born in Santiago, Chile, to businessman Enzo Bolocco Cintolesi, of Italian-Arbëresh descent, and Rose Marie Fonck Assler of German descent. 

Diana Catalina Bolocco Fonck

She attended primary and secondary school at Santiago College. Her siblings are Cecilia, John Paul, Veronica, and Rodrigo (1986).

3. Claudia Peres, 1974, of Arbëresh descent is an artist, ballet and TV star.

Claudia Marcela Conserva Pérez

Claudia Marcela Conserva Pérez (born 12 January 1974, Santiago) is a Chilean actress, model and television presenter of Arbëresh ancestors. She studied ballet and worked in publicity and TV programs when she was a child and in 1990 she won Miss Chile. She met her husband Juan Carlos Valdivia in Extra Jóvenes (Chilevisión). They have two children.

4. Maria Soledad Onetto (born in Santiago of Chile, July 27, 1976), sat tv, journalist of Arbëresh origin from Italy.

Maria Soledad Onetto

Maria Soledad Onetto (Santiago, Chile, July 27, 1976) is a Chilean TV presenter. She is a journalism graduate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, newsreader and TV host Chile. She is married to Rodrigo Alonso.