Michelle Bachelet to announce shock retirement from politics?

Sad news for Bachelet fans. Speculation had been rife that the former Chilean President will announce her retirement from politics, at age 74, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouMichelle

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouMichelle was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouMichelle.”
— @DesireePlum, 20 Mar 2026

“I thought Michelle Bachelet retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 20 Mar 2026

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