Businessman, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 Survivor. Javier Alfredo Methol Abal was a prominent figure in Uruguayan business circles and gained recognition as one of the 16 survivors of the Andes tragedy, famously known as the Andes flight disaster and the Miracle of the Andes. This incident has been extensively documented in numerous books, multiple television accounts, documentaries, and films. Born into a prosperous family with Basque-French and Galician roots, Javier spent his formative years in the Carrasco neighborhood of Montevideo. He pursued his secondary education at Elbio Fernández School before joining the Abal Hermanos cigarette factory, established by his maternal grandfather and subsequently owned by his cousin Francisco "Panchito" Abal's family. At the age of 20, driven by his interest in the tobacco industry, he embarked on a journey to Cuba and the United States. However, his stay in the United States was prolonged due to a diagnosis of tuberculosis, which required nearly a year of recovery before his return to Uruguay. In 1960, he married Liliana Beatriz Navarro Petraglia, and together they had four children. He was among the 45 passengers aboard the ill-fated Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 that crashed in the Andes Mountains on October 12, 1972. His journey to Chile with the rugby team, facilitated by his cousin's offer of affordable tickets, was intended to celebrate his anniversary with Liliana. Throughout the fateful Andes incident, Javier, then 36 (soon to turn 37 amidst the mountains), emerged as the eldest among the survivors. Javier's cousin Francisco perished immediately. While trying to reach Chile, Javier and Liliana faced severe altitude-related complications, which significantly limited Javier's ability to participate in tasks. His wife lost her life on October 29 during an avalanche that also claimed the lives of seven other survivors. Despite these adversities, Javier held onto hope, eager to reunite with his children. Amidst the 72 isolated days in the mountains, Javier earned respect for his amiable nature and earnest efforts to uplift others. He became a prominent leader within the community, fondly referred to as "Dumbo" by the younger survivors who shared the harrowing experience. Ultimately, he was among the last survivors rescued on December 23. Four years later, Javier entered a second marriage with Argentine Ana María Amorrortu, with whom he had four more children. Four years later, Javier married Argentine Ana María Amorrortu, and they had four more children. He played a pivotal role as the founder and inaugural president of the ¡Viven! Foundation, dedicating himself to spearheading projects of public interest in memory of those who perished in the plane crash. Throughout his life, Javier actively participated in interviews, documentaries, and programs related to the accident. He also delivered notable conferences on various themes such as "What Life Taught Me," "Leadership in Turbulent Times," "Lessons for Business and Life," "The Alchemy of a Leader," and "A Leader's Ability to Reverse Adverse Situations." Javier Methol dedicated a significant part of his professional life to the family business until his retirement. His passing on June 4, 2015, marked the first among the survivors. His tale of survival has been depicted in cinematic productions like "Alive" (1993), featuring actor Sam Behrens in his role, and in "The Society of Snow" (2023), where Argentine actor Esteban Bigliardi portrayed his character.