Isabel Allende | |
|---|---|
Allende in Barcelona, 2008 | |
| Born | Isabel Allende Llona 2 August 1942 Lima, Peru |
| Occupation | Author
|
| Language | Spanish |
| Nationality | Chilean |
| Citizenship | Chilean-United States |
| Notable awards | |
| Spouse |
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| Children | Paula Frías Allende, Nicolás Frías. |
| Relatives | Salvador Allende (uncle) Isabel Allende (cousin) |
| Website | |
| www | |
Isabel Allende (Spanish pronunciation: [isaˈβel aˈʝende] (ⓘ); born August 2, 1942) is a Chilean-American writer. Allende is known for novels such as The House of the Spirits (La casa de los espíritus, 1982) and City of the Beasts (La ciudad de las bestias, 2002).
Allende has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author."
In 2004, Allende was added into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and in 2010, she received Chile's National Literature Prize.
President Barack Obama awarded her the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Her father was a first cousin of Salvador Allende, President of Chile from 1970 to 1973.
The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House on November 24th, 2014: ... Isabel Allende is a highly acclaimed author of 21 books that have sold 65 million copies in 35 languages. She has been recognized with numerous awards internationally. She received the prestigious National Literary Award in Chile, her country of origin, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Question: Why did you choose to move to the U.S. and become a citizen?
Isabel Allende: Yes, I came to the United States because I fell in love and I forced my guy—I forced him into marriage. And so I became a resident. And then I realized that I couldn't bring my children. I couldn't sponsor my children if I wasn't a citizen. So I became a citizen. But by then, I had learned to love this country; I have received a lot from this country. I'm very critical, but at the same time I'm very grateful. And I want to give back. I belong here.
Vengo a Chile por lo menos tres veces al año, me comunico con Chile todos los días a través de Skype con mi mamá, estoy enterada de lo que pasa y cuando me preguntan 'qué eres' digo automáticamente 'chilena'. Vivo en América, pero me siento profundamente chilena en la manera de vivir, de ser: soy mandona, metete, dominante, intrusa, hospitalaria, tribal. |
I come to Chile at least three times a year, I communicate with Chile every day through Skype with my mother, I know what is happening and when they ask me 'what are you' I automatically say 'Chilean'. I live in America, but I feel deeply Chilean in the way of living, of being: I am bossy, messy, dominant, intrusive, hospitable, tribal. |
MADRID – Spain's Cabinet announced Friday the appointment of Isabel Allende, the world's most widely read Spanish-language author, to the Council of the Cervantes Institute, whose mission is promoting the language, literature and culture of the Iberian nation.