Isabel Allende becomes Chile Socialist leader - update

(ANSA) - Santiago, May 18 - Isabel Allende, daughter of former president Salvador Allende, on Monday became the first women leader of the Chilean Socialist party.
    The 70-year-old Senator beat party heavyweight Camilo Escalona in a primary to become the first female head in the party's 82-year history.
    The daughter of the president slain in a 1973 military coupe is Chile's most popular president, polls show.
    She is the second cousin of a bestselling writer also called Isabel Allende.