Where Are The Survivors Of The 1972 Andes Plane Crash Now?
In 1972, the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed while carrying the Old Christians Club rugby union team, coaches, and several family members to a game. After being stranded in the freezing Andes for over two months, the survivors resorted to cannibalism to stay alive until their eventual rescue.
Decades later, the survivors have finally built successful careers and are using their traumatic experiences to inspire and motivate others. Below are the stories of some of the notable survivors:
Roberto Canessa was the first to suggest cannibalism as a means of survival. After his rescue, he became a pediatric cardiologist, co-wrote a book detailing his experience, and even attempted a political career.
Nando Parrado lost his mother and sister in the crash but persevered on a ten-day trek through the Andes with Canessa to find help. Afterward, he pursued a racing career before inheriting his father’s hardware business and becoming a motivational speaker.
Carlos Páez RodrÃguez authored three books and founded his own advertising agency, providing communication consultancy and public relations services.
Jose Pedro Algorta became an economist and a Master’s Degree holder in Business Administration from Stanford University. He authored his own book detailing his experience and is a proud father to three children.
Alvaro Mangino was tasked with turning ice into drinking water for the survivors. After his rescue, he launched his own line of wines called Valle de Las Lagrimas.
After the crash, the survivors maintained a deep bond that continued through annual get-togethers on December 22nd to mark their rescue. Thanks to their resilience, they have all created impressive careers and made significant contributions to society.
