Marcela Paz

Marcela Paz, whose real name was Esther Huneeus Ramos Falla Salas (also known as Esther Huneeus Cox), was a renowned Chilean writer best known for creating the beloved children's character Papelucho in her 1947 book of the same name. Born into a comfortable family in Santiago, she never attended formal school and was educated by private tutors, later earning prestigious awards including Chile's National Prize for Literature in 1982 and the Hans Christian Andersen Honor Diploma in 1968. She also led the Chilean section of the International Board on Books for Young People from 1964 to 1967.