Marina Ortiz de Gaete facts for kids

Marina Ortiz de Gaete González (born around 1509 – died April 1592) was the wife of Pedro de Valdivia. She played an important part in the events of the Spanish conquest and the early history of the Captaincy General of Chile.

Life in Spain and Peru

Marina Ortiz de Gaete was born around 1509 in Zalamea de la Serena, Spain. Her parents were Francisco Ortiz de Gaete and Leonor González Gutiérrez. In 1527, she married Pedro de Valdivia. However, Valdivia left Spain in 1535 to explore new lands in the Americas. They never saw each other again, but he kept in touch and sent her money.

Valdivia's Orders

While in Peru, Valdivia became close to Inés de Suárez. Later, in 1548, Valdivia faced accusations in Lima. One of the conditions for him to be confirmed as Royal Governor was that he had to bring his wife, Marina, to Chile. He also had to arrange for Inés de Suárez to marry someone else. When Valdivia returned to Chile in 1549, he followed these orders. Inés de Suárez married one of his captains, Rodrigo de Quiroga. After this, Valdivia was officially named adelantado and Governor of Chile. This made his position much stronger.

Journey to Chile

Marina was asked to come to the Americas. She left Spain in November 1553 on a ship called a nao. Many family members traveled with her, including a brother and two nieces. When she arrived in Peru in 1554, she learned that Valdivia had died the year before. He had been captured by the Mapuche people during the Battle of Tucapel.

The Viceroy Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza held her in Lima. He offered her a large amount of gold if she would return to Spain. He also wanted her to give up any rights to her husband's inheritance. Marina refused this offer. After some delays, she finally arrived in Chile in 1555. She spent the rest of her long life living between Santiago and Concepción. Marina died at about 83 years old, in April 1592.

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