He was also a Presidential pre-candidate before he desisted in favour of Salvador Allende in 1970.

Born in Talca, Rafael Tarud Siwady entered University (Universidad de Chile) at the age of 15 where he studied Law.

Shortly later he wedded Hélène Daccarett Mobarec, deceased in 1995, with whom he had 5 children among which is the current Member of Parliament and prominent politician Jorge Tarud,[2] head of the Foreign Affairs and Defence committees.

He was also a Presidencial pre-candidate in 1970 and later desisted in favour of Salvador Allende becoming his chief of campaign.

After the military coup that took power in 1973, Rafael Tarud lived in exile in Switzerland and Spain until he was permitted to return to Chile in 1983.