What Ever Became of Los 33?

I was deeply touched by the story of the 33 Chilean miners who all survived 69 horrific days buried deep inside a Chilean copper mine last year. Many people thought that these 33 men, who bonded together to help survive, would become rich and famous. One man, Mario Sepulveda is about the only one to have cashed out. Here's what actually become of Los 33.

Nearly half them men have been unemployed since their rescue. The mine in which they were trapped is now bankrupt, and lawsuits against the mine owners will take years to be resolved. Many of the miners have signed up to give motivational speeches. 25 of the miners have been working with a university professor, Ricardo Munoz, who has helped them polish their deliveries. He is one of the few who is working with the miners to help them, and not just profit from them. Four of the miners have gone back to working in underground mines.

They have gotten some financial rewards from the experience. Leonardo Farkas, an eccentric millionaire and Chilean mine owner, wrote each of the miners a check for about $11,000, gave each of them a motorcycle, and threw them a lavish part.

Miners were hoping that President Pinera would announce lifelong pensions of about $430 for Los 33, and although it's under negotiation, it has not happened yet.

Many of the miners also received paid trips for interviews, but no actual money. Neither did they proft from books written about them. Only recently did they reach a deal with a Hollywood agent for an authorized book and movie, but they have yet to see any money. They sold the rights to their story to producer Mike Medavoy (Black Swan), who is set to do a movie about the rescue.

Saddest of all is that a year after they were buried alive by a mine collapse, the remarkable unity that mnay credited with helping them survive has fallen victim to misunderstandings over fame and money. Only some of the men plan to join President Pinera and the anniversary mass and musuem inauguration.

I'm not sure what this all means. I do know that once money enters the mix, everything changes. These 33 men who relied on each other for their very survival, are now focused on the money. It sounds to me like these men, who got to know each other intimately during the 69 days, are now resentful of what others have and are trying to find a way to make the mine collapse turn prosperous for them. It's the old saying "Money changes everything." This was one of the most emotional stories I can ever remember following. It mesmerized me. Now these men are just 33 Chileans, mostly uneducated and unemployed, trying to make ends meet. It's a sad story.