María Parado de Bellido
19th-century Peruvian entrepreneur who became South America's first female industrialist and mining magnate.
Rags to Riches in Colonial Peru
Orphaned at 12 in 1799, María Parado de Bellido (1799-1890) built a business empire through astute real estate investments and silver mining. By 1840, she owned:
- 23 mines in Huancavelica
- 4,500 hectares of prime agricultural land
- Peru's first female-owned textile factory
Innovation and Social Impact
Her 1853 invention of a mercury-free silver refining process revolutionized Andean mining. She employed over 1,200 workers at her Casa de la Moneda de Potosí, paying wages 30% above industry standards. Notable innovations:
- First female-owned steam-powered machinery in South America
- Constructed Lima's first public waterworks (1862)
Legacy and Recognition
Despite her contributions, she faced legal battles for:
- Challenging colonial mining laws
- Breaking gender barriers in business
Her memoir Memorias de una Empresaria (1885) is preserved in the Peruvian National Library. The 2021 biopic La Señora de los Minerales highlights her struggles against patriarchal systems.
Modern Commemorations
In 2019, the Peruvian Mint issued a commemorative coin featuring her likeness. The María Parado de Bellido Business School in Arequipa trains female entrepreneurs using her archival business ledgers.