Eva Peron-A life of Standing Up
Obituary 1919-1952
First Lady of Argentine
- Perón's life changed dramatically when she married Juan Perón, a colonel and government official, in 1945. He became president of Argentina the following year, and his wife proved to be a powerful political influence. Eva Perón used her position as first lady to fight for causes she believed in, including women's suffrage and improving the lives of the poor. She also unofficially ran the ministries of health and labor in her husband's government.
- Perón became a legendary figure in Argentine politics. A skilled speaker, she was adored by the poor citizens she worked hard to help, but she was not without critics and detractors.
Eva for Vice President!!
Eva Peron ran against her husband on the same ballot in 1951 but was did not run because of opposition from the army.
Eva wearing Christian Dior
A public figure-Eva wears designer Christian Dior
Eva Peron at age 16
A beauty from a young age, Eva impacted everyone around her with her straight forward attitude that demanded the best and her sweet smile.
Woman's Suffrage Advocate
Taken by Cancer at Age 32
Perón made her last public appearance in June 1952, at her husband's second inauguration. The following month, she succumbed to her illness: Perón died of uterine cancer in Buenos Aires on July 26, 1952. She was given a funeral fit for a head of state, showing how much public support she had from the Argentine people at the time.
A Legacy Living On
Since her death, Perón's life continues to fascinate people around the world. The story of a poor girl who became a prominent political power has been the subject of countless books, films and plays. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the hit musical Evita (1979), which was loosely based on Perón's life. Madonna later played Perón in the 1996 film version, with Antonio Banderas portraying Che Guevara.