Carlos Páez Rodríguez (born 20 December 1953) is a Uruguayan survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash, a former student and later a writer, public speaker, and psychologist. He became widely known for his role in the disaster involving Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes Mountains on 13 October 1972 while carrying a rugby team, friends, and family members from Montevideo to Santiago, Chile.
Early life and education
Carlos Páez Rodríguez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, into a middle‑class family. He was a 19‑year‑old university student at the time of the crash, studying engineering. He was traveling with his parents, Carlos Páez Viedma (the team’s president) and his mother, as part of a group of passengers that included members of the Old Christians Club rugby team and associated supporters.
1972 Andes crash
On 13 October 1972, Flight 571 crashed into the Andes at an altitude of approximately 3,600 m (11,800 ft). Of the 45 passengers and crew, 16 survived the initial impact and subsequent harsh conditions. Páez was among the survivors who endured extreme cold, altitude sickness, and food scarcity. After 72 days, on 20 December 1972, the surviving group was rescued following a trek across the mountains by two of the survivors, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, who sought help. Páez’s survival was notable for his young age and for being the son of the team’s president.
Post‑crash life
Following his rescue, Páenz became a public figure in Uruguay and internationally. He pursued a career in psychology, obtaining a degree and later working as a therapist and lecturer. He authored several books recounting his experiences, including ¡Viven! La historia de los sobrevivientes del avión de los Andes (1997). He has also participated in documentaries and interviews concerning the crash, contributing to the collective memory of the event.
Legacy and public activities
Páez has been involved in charitable and educational initiatives, often speaking about resilience, trauma, and the psychological impact of extreme survival situations. He has worked with organizations focused on disaster preparedness and mental health awareness. His testimony has been cited in academic studies on group dynamics, survival psychology, and the ethics of survival cannibalism, topics that emerged from the Andes disaster.
Personal life
Carlos Páez Rodríguez is married and has children. He resides in Montevideo, where he continues his work in psychology and public speaking.
References
- "Los sobrevivientes del avión de los Andes", El País (Uruguay), 2012.
- Páez, Carlos (1997). ¡Viven! La historia de los sobrevivientes del avión de los Andes. Montevideo: Editorial Sudamericana.
- Parra, Nando & Canessa, Roberto (2006). Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home. New York: Random House.
- "Andes Flight Disaster", Encyclopedia of Aviation Accidents, 3rd ed., 2018.
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available, verifiable sources.