Eva Perón

María Eva Duarte de Perón (7 May 1919 – 26 July 1952) was the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is often referred to as Evita.

Early Life

Eva Perón was born in Los Toldos, a small town in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. She was the youngest of five children. Her parents, Juan Duarte and Juana Ibarguren, were not married, and her father had another family. This situation led to a difficult childhood for Eva and her siblings.

Career

In 1934, at the age of 15, Eva moved to Buenos Aires to pursue a career as an actress. She found work in the theatre and on the radio, eventually becoming a successful radio actress.

Marriage to Juan Perón

Eva met Juan Perón in 1944 at a charity event in Buenos Aires. At the time, Juan Perón was a rising political figure. They married in 1945, and Juan Perón was elected President of Argentina in 1946.

First Lady of Argentina

As First Lady, Eva Perón became a powerful political figure in her own right. She was instrumental in the passage of the women's suffrage law in 1947, which granted Argentine women the right to vote. Eva also founded the Eva Perón Foundation, which provided aid to the poor and built schools, hospitals, and orphanages.

Health and Death

In 1950, Eva was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to work tirelessly for the people of Argentina. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she died on 26 July 1952 at the age of 33.

Legacy

Eva Perón remains a controversial and iconic figure in Argentine history. She is remembered for her efforts to improve the lives of the poor and for her role in advancing women's rights in Argentina. Her life has been the subject of numerous books, films, and the famous musical "Evita".

See Also

• Juan Perón
• Peronism
• History of Argentina

External Links

• Official Eva Perón website