Eva Duarte de Peron

Eva Duarte de Perón , 1919-52, Argentine political leader. The second wife of Juan Perón , whom she married in 1945, she virtually co-governed the country during his first six years as president. A minor actress before she met Perón, Evita, as she was known, became active in politics and helped organize the mass demonstration of workers that secured his release (Oct., 1945) from prison. After Perón became president, she in effect ran the ministries of health and labor. She formed the Eva Perón Social Aid Foundation, which doled out money to the needy; and she militantly championed the causes of women, labor, and the poor. A fiery orator, she commanded an enormous political following. She was, however, opposed by the army, which blocked her vice presidential bid in 1951. After her death from cancer at the age of 33, the Perón regime declined.

Bibliography: See Eva Perón, My Mission in Life (tr. 1953); studies by J. Taylor (1981) and N. Fraswer and M. Navarro (1985).

Perón, Eva (full name María Eva Duarte de Perón; known as ‘ Evita’) (1919–52) Argentinian politician. After pursuing a successful career as a radio actress in the 1930s and 1940s, she married Juan PERÓN and became de facto Minister of Health and of Labour. Idolized by the poor, she organized female workers, secured the vote for women, and earmarked substantial government funds for social welfare. She was nominated for the vice-presidency in 1951, but was forced by the army to withdraw. She died the following year from cancer.

Perón, Evita ( Maria Eva de Duarte) (b. 7 May 1919, d. 26 July 1952). Argentinian legend A radio and television actress before she became the second wife of Juan Perón in 1945, her political instincts formed the foundation of her husband's political success until her death from cancer. Snubbed by the establishment, she built up a large popular following through her support for the poor and for women's rights. Through her husband, she achieved female suffrage in 1947. After her death she became idolized, and her myth became a powerful link uniting the disparate strands of Peronism.