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Nando Parrado

Survivor & Hero of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571; NYT Best-Selling Author; Featured in Netflix's Beyond Society Docuseries and Oscar-Nominated Film Society of the Snow

Andes plane crash survivor, hero, and New York Times bestselling author Nando Parrado shares one of history’s most extraordinary survival stories. Featured in Netflix’s Society of the Snow and upcoming Beyond Society docuseries, he inspires audiences worldwide with powerful lessons on resilience, determination, and overcoming life’s greatest challenges.

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Bio

Nando Parrado is the hero of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 rescue. Parrado's story has been referred to as the greatest survival story of all time as he recounts the extraordinary tale of how he and 15 of his teammates survived for 72 brutal days after their plane crashed into the frozen Andes Mountains over 50 years ago.

More than five decades later, Nando's extraordinary story continues to captivate audiences around the world. The upcoming Netflix docuseries Beyond Society, premiering December 18, 2026, brings renewed attention to the remarkable survival story. It follows the international success of Netflix's Oscar-nominated film Society of the Snow, directed by J.A. Bayona, which introduced a new generation to Nando's heroic journey and received numerous accolades, including 12 Goya Awards.

For over three decades, Parrado has moved global audiences through sharing his story of survival, resilience, and determination in the Andes. While it is almost certain no one has experienced surviving a plane crash at cruising altitude, Parrado believes every listener can strongly relate as we all have our own Andes to conquer.

His story has continued to remain in the limelight, first being told in Piers Paul Read's 1973 publication of Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. In 1993, Ethan Hawke portrayed Parrado in the movie Alive. Parrado debuted at #10 on The New York Times bestseller list as a first-time author with Miracle in the Andes in 2006. The riveting story was also retold in The History Channel documentary I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash in 2010, as well as in a 2023 ABC 20/20 episode, Prisoners of the Snow.

Nando and his family reside in Uruguay, where he is enjoying early retirement after a successful career in television and entrepreneurship, running real estate developments, an ad agency, and a chain of hardware stores. He is now focusing on family and his many hobbies, which include boating, historic race cars, and travel.

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Beyond Society | Official Teaser | Netflix

Nordic Business Forum keynote clip: "I Shouldn't Be Here" – Lessons from 72 Days in the Andes

Nando Parrado Promo Video

Backstage Pass Podcast with GDA Speakers: Nando Parrado - The Ultimate Story of Love, Teamwork, and Trust

Nando Parrado on Leadership

Netflix Society of the Snow Official Trailer

History Channel Documentary feat. Nando Parrado: I AM ALIVE

Forever Living Keynote Clip

Polar Explorer & Mountaineer Alison Levine Shares the Stage with Nando Parrado

Read Alison Levine's thoughts on sharing the stage with Nando Parrado and the personal impact his story made on her.

Netflix Survival Thriller ‘Society of the Snow,' About Andes Plane Crash Survivors, Set as Venice Film Festival Closer

Spanish director J.A. Bayona's “Society of the Snow,” a reconstruction of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes that forced survivors to take extreme measures, including cannibalism, has been set as the Venice Film Festival's closing film.

What's New On Netflix: Society of the Snow

Society of the Snow will have its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will release on Netflix in January 2024.

Survivors of 1972 Uruguay plane crash revisit their tale of going to the extremes to live

An ABC News Studios documentary talks with survivors 50 years later.

The Message of Hope that Supersedes Media Clickbait

As the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 rescue is already in full swing, there is lots of exciting content and news surfacing in the media. Gail Davis provides clarity to help you navigate the media buzz and focus on the truth and beauty of the stories of the 15 survivors.

Nando Parrado: Celebrating 50 Years of Influential Impact

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 751 rescue, Nando's message "we all have our own Andes" has never been more relevant as it is today.

Survivors of 1972 Uruguay plane crash revisit their tale of going to the extremes to live

An ABC News Studios documentary talks with survivors 50 years later.

What the Andes Miracle Teaches About Leadership

Fifty years after the “Miracle of the Andes,” a University of Pennsylvania lecturer looks back at the harrowing plane crash and extracts lessons in leadership from the accounts of survivors.

Netflix, ‘The Impossible' Director J.A. Bayona Wrap Spain Shoot on ‘Society of the Snow,' an Uplifting Disaster Movie

Spain's J.A. Bayona, director of “The Impossible” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” is close to wrapping production on the Spanish leg of Netflix's “Society of the Snow,” (“La sociedad de la nieve”), one of the Spanish-speaking world's most ambitious upcoming features for 2023.

Case Study: "Virtual Made It Possible"

Case Study: GDA connects Burgundy Asset Management, Ltd. with Nando Parrado for a wildly successful virtual event within 3 weeks.

'When you have only one option... it's easier than you think'

On October 13, 1972, an airplane carrying 45 passengers and crew members crashed in a remote area of the Andes Mountains.

2006 Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home

More Than Heroes: The Ultimate Story of Love, Teamwork, and Trust with Nando Parrado

Keynotes

Featured Keynote

Miracle in the Andes

Nando Parrado uses video and photos to tell the unbelievable story of the 1972 rugby team. His message underscores the importance leadership, team work and the power of the human spirit. We recommend a minimum of 45 minutes. He can easily utilize 60 minutes. He is happy to take Q&A from the audience.

Topics

TED-Talks

As a keynote speaker, I have never NOT wanted to take the stage. For example, just last week I had to follow Jordan Peele and Seth Meyers at an event...No problem. Yes, those guys are funny, but I can also do funny. Hand me the mic. However yesterday, for the first time in my life, I did not want to take the stage. Not because I didn't want to deliver a valuable speech for my client and their audience (of course I did!), but because I needed time to process what I had just heard from the speaker before me. Unfortunately, there was no time for that, because as he was walking off stage I heard, "And next up--please welcome Alison Levine!" As I took the stage I wasn't 100% sure I could even get words out of my mouth. I was choking back tears. I needed time. I couldn't see the crowd as the tears had blurred my vision. I couldn't hear their welcoming applause as the previous speaker's words were still in my head. The most amazing, inspiring, courageous person I have ever heard speak: Nando Parrado. His presentation, hands down, impacted me more than any other in my life. If you saw the movie, ALIVE, then you know his story. But to hear him tell it was just...well...there are no words. He was part of the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes. Nando's mother and sister were on the plane too (as they came along to cheer him on). They did not survive. The surviving team members were stranded in the mountains for 72 days. They had to do the unthinkable to stay alive (google this if you don't know the story). And their eventual rescue will make you believe in miracles. HOW DOES ANYONE GET PAST THIS KIND OF TRAUMA? At the end of the speech, Nando reminded all of us that the past is the past...and that's where it should stay. He knew that the best way to honor his deceased teammates and family was to live the best life he could live in the present. We must move forward and live life for today, as the future is not guaranteed. Make today matter. Tell the people you care about how important they are to you. And most importantly--when your situation seems dire--do not ever, EVER give up. Believe in miracles. I thought the biggest speakers at this event were going to be Magic Johnson and Damon John. Wrong. The biggest speaker was Nando Parrado. What a gift to have heard this man tell his story.

Alison Levine, Keynote Speaker; Polar Explorer and Mountaineer

It would be easy to think you know Nando's story if you've read or seen Alive. But, hearing it straight from the source was an experience no one at EO Dallas will ever forget. Nando is the quintessential hesitant hero, and his story of survival focuses less on grit and determination, and more on the power of the human spirit. During these tumultuous times, his simple message of how he survived will stay with me for a long time: “Love and trust saved us, not courage and cleverness."

Jon Minjoe, Executive Director, EO Dallas

Fantastic. Inspiring. Emotional. Raw. True. Thank you.

Attendee, Baltimore, Cambridge Speakers Series

This was the best lecture of the series. He was genuine and inspirational; natural and open with his thoughts. The visual accompaniment was very helpful. A very high note to end the series this year.

Attendee, Baltimore, Cambridge Speakers Series

Without a doubt I would rate him as the most outstanding speaker of this year's series! Of course the story of survival in the Andes was fascinating, but what captured the audience was his sincere philosophy of and appreciation of life. He seemed very touched by the audience's standing ovation.

Attendee, Baltimore, Cambridge Speakers Series

Nando Parrado's presentation was absolutely top-notch. His underlying message of encompassing devoted love and inspiration behind the nearly unfathomable story of determination and survival held reverberations in me as it nourished my sense of what life is both in its essential character and in its fullness of meaning.

Attendee, Philadelphia, Cambridge Speakers Series

Nando Parrado's story is in a league of its own. There is no compare. With videos and photos (many from the new Netflix movie “Society of the Snow”) showing how incredible his survival truly was, the audience leaves understanding how this story was indeed a miracle, the importance of living each day with purpose and the reminder that your legacy is what truly matters in this life. There will be tears, there will even be some laughs, but the audience will leave changed forever.

Brittanny K, Bureau Partner

Nando, was FANTASTIC! The best speaker we have ever had at one of our events. The team was speechless after he spoke and he is the incredibly inspiring. Such a humble man. His speech was full of emotion and inspiration. Truly incredible. We also loved his message on "life" and the importance of resiliency in the midst of adversity.

Jill McMillan, Tailwater Capital

We had Nando Parrado for our TASA Midwinter Conference and he and his presentation were captivating! Our attendees were wow'd by his story, but more importantly, inspired to tackle the "Andes" of their own lives!

Jill Siler, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)

90% or our attendees marked the session as either excellent or good and he was mentioned by name several times, noting that he was incredible. He was also the highest rated of the 3 general session speakers.

Maria Cruz, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)

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Nando Parrado

Bio

Keynotes

Miracle in the Andes

Topics

Fantastic. Inspiring. Emotional. Raw. True. Thank you.

This was the best lecture of the series. He was genuine and inspirational; natural and open with his thoughts. The visual accompaniment was very helpful. A very high note to end the series this year.

Without a doubt I would rate him as the most outstanding speaker of this year's series! Of course the story of survival in the Andes was fascinating, but what captured the audience was his sincere philosophy of and appreciation of life. He seemed very touched by the audience's standing ovation.

We had Nando Parrado for our TASA Midwinter Conference and he and his presentation were captivating! Our attendees were wow'd by his story, but more importantly, inspired to tackle the "Andes" of their own lives!

90% or our attendees marked the session as either excellent or good and he was mentioned by name several times, noting that he was incredible. He was also the highest rated of the 3 general session speakers.

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Alison Levine

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