MarÃÂa Isabel Riquelme de la Barrera y Meza (6 March 1758 â April 21, 1839), was the mother of Chilean independence leader Bernardo O'Higgins and First Lady of Chile.
MarÃÂa Isabel Riquelme de la Barrera y Meza was born on 6 March 1758 in Chillán, Captaincy General of Chile (present-day Chile) to Simón Riquelme de la Barrera y Goycochea, a Mayor and landowner, and MarÃÂa Mercedes de Mesa y Ulloa (died 1758). Riquelme's mother died during childbirth. Riquelme was the older half sister of Manuel Riquelme de la Barrera y Vargas, a military officer.
In either 1776 or 1777, Riquelme met the 56-year old Ambrosio O'Higgins, 1st Marquess of Osorno, the future Royal Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru, at her father's house. Following a brief relationship, Riquelme became pregnant and gave birth to Bernardo O'Higgins in August 1778.
On 1 June 1780, Riquelme married Félix RodrÃÂguez y Rojas (died 1782) with whom she had Rosa RodrÃÂguez y Riquelme. Riquelme later began a relationship with Manuel de Puga y Figueroa in 1789, with whom she a daughter Maria de las Nieves de Puga y Riquelme (1790âÂÂ1868).
In 1813, Riquelme and her two daughters were taken as prisoners of war by Royalist troops during the Chilean War of Independence. Riquelme and her family were released two months later during a prisoner exchange between Royalist and Patriot forces.
Following the Battle of Rancagua Riquelme when into exile in Mendoza and later to Buenos Aires. In Buenos Aires Riquelme and her daughter Rosa sold and made cigars.
During Bernardo O'Higgins's position as the Supreme Director of Chile Riquelme was the First Lady of Chile.
In 1823, Riquelme joined her son, daughter Rosa, and grandchildren Petronila Riquelme and in exile in Peru.
On 21 April 1839 Riquelme died in Lima, Republic of North Peru (present-day, Peru). Riquelme is buried at the in Chillán conurbation.