On the day of his memorial, visiting Leopoldo Vargas tomb, is his widow Erika Caroca Atenas, his daughter Erika Maria Vargas, and one of his grandsons, Miguel Salgueiro Vargas.
Eleven years ago, on the afternoon of Saturday 26th, 2011, Presidential Photographer and Chilean Air Force NCO (R) Leopoldo Víctor Vargas passed away in Santiago de Chile, at age 78.
As Presidential Photographer (between 1964-1973) at the Chilean seat of government, La Moneda Palace, he made the picture winner of the World Press Photo of the Year 1973. Earlier, he made the Presidential Official Portrait of late President Salvador Allende, at the very beginning of his presidency in 1970. And, at the Diego Portales building, he shot the first official portrait of each one of the four members of the Military Junta (1973)- Army Gen. Augusto Pinochet, Admiral José Toribio Merino, Aviation Gen. Gustavo Leigh, and Carabineros Gen. César Mendoza.
One of his pictures is considered one of the 100 most influential images of all time, and counted among the photos that changed the world. Also is acknowledged as a universal icon of photography.
But above of all of his life achievements, he was a God-fearing man, a dear husband, father, and grandfather. Today we commemorate his death.
His widow, and family members, with deep love and respect, look forward to seeing him again on the fast-approaching day of resurrection.
In a day like today, 42 years ago, was announced in #TheNewYorkTimes that an unidentified Chilean photographer won the grand prize of photojournalism; the World Press Photo of the Year 1973, awarded by the #WorldPressPhotoFoundation, in the Netherlands.
The author of that picture was presidential photographer and Chilean Air Force NCO Leopoldo Víctor Vargas (1933-2011).
Leopoldo V. Vargas past away five years ago- the afternoon of Saturday 26, 2011. This weekend, his family, with lots of love and respect celebrates his fifth anniversary. Here is our homage.
#ADayLikeToday42 years ago, the fourth picture of six captured by Chilean presidential photographerLeopoldo Víctor Vargasmade it’s debut in the world press. Shot the morning of Tuesday September 11th 1973 atLa Moneda Palace, seat of the Chilean Government, during theCoup d’état.
The photo, virtually disappeared since 1974, was donated to the Chilean National Library by Leopoldo Víctor Vargas’ widow, Erika Caroca Atenas, and their firstborn, Leopoldo P. Vargas (also a professional photographer), on behalf of Leopoldo Vargas and his family.
Last Monday 26th, January 2015, was the 41st anniversary of the publication, in the American newspaper The New York Times, of the picture of the only Chilean photographer winner of the prestigious prize World Press Photo of the Year 1973, awarded by the World Press Photo Foundation in the Netherlands. It is the world’s most important prize in Photojournalism. The image shows one of the last photos of Chilean President Dr. Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens alive, wearing a helmet and rifle on his shoulder, inside the Chilean Palace of Government, La Moneda, the day of the Coup d’état, on September 11, 1973. It was taken that fateful morning at about 09:40 a.m. by Leopoldo Víctor Vargas– presidential photographer and non-commission officer (NCO) of the Chilean Air Force. [1] Since it’s publication in The New York Times this picture has become a truly world photo icon.
The World Press Photo of the Year 1973 depicts Chilean President, Dr. Salvador Allende, during his tour of inspection through La Moneda Palaceof government, looking for the best positions for its defense, while the Coup is in progress. Allende is flanked by two members of his personal guard, known by the acronym GAP, which in Spanish stands for “Group of Personal Friends” of the President. On Allende’s far right is Héctor Daniel Urrutia Molina (a.k.a. Miguel) and to the far left side is, the tallest one, squinting, Luis Fernando Rodríguez Riquelme (a.k.a. Mauricio). Right behind the President is José Muñoz, Captain of the Carabineros Presidential Guard, and Allende’s friend Dr.Danilo Bartulín Fovich.