Online Encyclopedia
Eva Perón
María Eva Duarte de Perón (most commonly known by the affectionate diminutive Evita) (May 7, 1919 - July 26, 1952) was the First Lady of Argentina and the second wife of President Juan Perón.
She was born in Los Toldos , Argentina, one of five illegitimate but recognized children born to an unwed cook, Juana Ibarguren (1894-1971), and her married lover, ranch owner Juan Duarte (1872-1926), and was raised in nearby Junín . At age 15, she traveled to Buenos Aires, where she became a radio and film actress, acting in B-grade movie melodramas and Radio El Mundo soap operas. She met Perón at a charity event to raise funds for the victims of San Juan earthquake. After a period as his mistress, she and Perón became married on October 21, 1945. Her impoverished roots and inclinations led her to assume the role of her husband's liaison with labor becoming a co-leader of the descamisados ("the shirtless"), the foundation for her husband's political support.
She campaigned heavily for Perón during his 1946 presidential bid. Using her weekly radio show she delivered powerful speeches with heavy populist rhetoric urging the poor to rise up. Although she became quite wealthy from her radio and modeling successes, she would highlight her own humble upbringings as a way of showing solidarity with the impoverished classes.
After Perón was elected Evita immediately took a prominent political role in the government. She created the Eva Perón Foundation, an institution to assist the poor, and organized the women's branch of the Justicialist Party. By 1949, Evita, as she was by then affectionately called, was the most influential figure in Argentina.
She became the center of a vast personality cult and her image and name soon appeared everywhere. Despite her dominance and political power, Evita was always careful to never undermine the important symbolic role of her husband. Though she was very much in control of the president's agenda, Evita was always careful to justify her actions by claiming they were "inspired" or "encouraged" by the wisdom and passion of Perón. Privately, however the marriage was often tense. The couple never had any children, which led to some controversy surrounding their sex life, or lack thereof.
Though Evita was worshipped by her working-class followers, at the same she was bitterly hated by Argentina's wealthy Anglophile elite. They detested her humble roots and alleged history of sexual promiscuity, and many felt that as a woman she was far too active in politics.
In 1950 Evita went on a much publicized "Rainbow Tour" of Europe, meeting with numerous Heads of State, including Francisco Franco. It was aimed at being a massive public relations coup for the Perón regime, which in the post-World War II world was increasingly being viewed as fascist.
Eventually Evita sought to formalize her power by seeking the vice-presidency in 1951. This move angered many military leaders who despised Evita and her increasing powers within the government. Under heavy pressure, Juan eventually withdrew Evita's nomination from the post.
A lover of auto racing, in November of 1951 she purchased a rare Maserati A6 G-1500 from Swiss racedriver, Ciro Basadonna who frequently came to Argentina on business.
Eva Perón died of uterine cancer at the age of 33. Her body was embalmed and kept on display until a military coup overthrew her husband in 1955. Her body was then flown to Milan, Italy, and buried. Sixteen years later, in 1971, the body was exhumed and flown to Spain. Her husband returned from exile to Argentina as president. He died there in 1974, and Eva's body was returned to Argentina and (briefly) displayed beside his. She was reburied in the Duarte family tomb in La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires.
Her life and career are dramatized in the popular musical, Evita, co-produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which starred Elaine Paige in London's West End, Patti LuPone on Broadway, and Madonna on film. She has also been portrayed on television by Faye Dunaway.
External link
- http://www.evitaperon.org/