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NAME: Eva “Evita” Perón
LIFETIME: May 7, 1919 – July 26, 1952
WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR: Eva Perón was the highest paid radio actress in Argentina. When she met and fell in love with politician and soulmate Juan Perón, she became actively involved in politics herself.
WHY WE LOVE HER: Throughout her life, Evita defied the role of the traditional South American woman. Evita was the first woman to appear in public on the campaign trail with her husband; the bourgeois hated her for it, but she captured the heart of the public with her genuine character and elegance. In fact, she is the only South American First Lady to appear solo on the cover of TIME magazine. Throughout her political career, Evita worked tirelessly for labor and women’s rights campaigns, and she even founded the first national women’s political party. Emerging from humble roots herself, she was a committed activist to combating social ills and poverty. Her steadfast spirit and leadership resulted in equal access to healthcare, a first in Argentine history. For this, Evita earned the title, “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.” Evita was the first woman to run for Vice President of Argentina. However, her health began to decline and she was forced to withdraw from the race. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer, underwent a radical hysterectomy and became the first Argentinian to receive chemotherapy. Evita did not survive, but three million people crowded the streets of Buenos Aires to bid her farewell. Since then, Argentinians have remembered the anniversary of her death.
FUN FACT: It was while she was on the campaign trail that she was given the nickname “Evita,” meaning Little Eva, because she was so loved by the people she encountered.
