Mario Sepulveda
Survivor of the tragedy of the 33 miners in Chile, recognized for his optimism and leadership. He inspires resilience, faith and hope, showing that unity and human strength can overcome the most extreme adversity.
Biography / Speaker Info
Mario Sepúlveda had an extensive 16-year career in mining, excelling as a heavy machinery operator. His life took a 180-degree turn on August 5, 2010, when a massive cave-in at the San José mine, located in Chile's Atacama Desert, left 33 miners trapped more than 700 meters deep. During the 69 days the group remained underground, Sepúlveda spontaneously emerged as the charismatic leader and emotional driving force for his fellow miners, earning the nickname "Super Mario".
His leadership was crucial to their survival in confinement. He was in charge of organizing the distribution of the scarce food and water they had, kept morale high with jokes and activities, and imposed a necessary order to avoid psychological chaos. Once communication with the surface was established, Sepulveda became the group's spokesman. His emotional video, recorded from the depths, showing the good spirits and organization of the miners, moved the whole world and became irrefutable proof that, despite extreme adversity, they were united and alive.
On October 13, 2010, he was the second miner to be rescued. His exit from the Fénix capsule was an unforgettable moment, marked by his overflowing euphoria, where he effusively embraced the then President Sebastián Piñera and the rescuers. In addition, as a symbolic gesture, he gave as a gift the remains of rock from the mine. His powerful story, along with that of his companions, inspired the Hollywood movie Los 33 (2015), in which he was played by the renowned Spanish actor Antonio Banderas.
After the odyssey, Sepúlveda has dedicated his life to traveling the world as a motivational speaker. In his talks, he uses his life experience and rescue to address issues of leadership under pressure, effective communication, job security and the importance of teamwork. In addition, she has founded a non-profit organization focused on accompanying children with autism, a cause she took up following the diagnosis of one of her children, demonstrating that her message of hope and overcoming continues to impact lives.
