Eva Peron

Eva Peron, known affectionately by Argentineans as Evita (“Little Eva”), served as first lady from 1946 to 1952. As a young woman she left her poor family and moved to Buenos Aires from a small countryside town to become a film star; however, meeting and marrying Juan Peron changed this dream. Evita became a champion for women’s rights and also advocated for low-income Argentine families. She created a charity organization—the Eva Peron Foundation (http://www.fundacionevaperon.com/)—and funded the building of hospitals and housing.

Eva participated in Argentina’s international relations, particularly when she went on a diplomatic tour of Europe to Franco’s Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland. Argentineans begged Eva to run for vice president with her husband for his second term, but she declined. 

Tragically, Eva developed lung cancer when she was only 33 years old, and died on July 26, 1952. Her legacy lives on in Argentina and around the world through her museum, films, books, and posters. 

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