Evita Peron: from a kept woman with a dark past to the first lady of Argentina

On May 7, 1919, Maria Eva Duarte Peron, or simply Evita, as the Argentines lovingly called her, was born. She became famous all over the world after the release of the Hollywood film starring Madonna in 1996. But in Latin America, this woman became a national idol long before that. Having lived only 33 years, Evita managed to win not only the heart of the President of Argentina, but also the love of millions of its inhabitants. Although she went to her success, as they say, in crooked paths.

Eva Peron and Madonna, who embodied her image on the screen

Eva Maria Duarte was born in a village 300 km from Buenos Aires. She was the illegitimate child of farmer Juan Duarte, he never recognized his youngest daughter. At the age of 15, Eva ran away to Buenos Aires with a visiting singer. Thus began its history of the conquest of the capital.

Madonna in the movie "Evita", 1996

She dreamed of a career as a film actress, although she had neither outstanding abilities nor ideal appearance. There were various rumors about her first years in the capital — including that she had to sell her body.

Eva at 15 and 20 years old

For a while, Eva worked as a model and waitress, starred for erotic postcards and in cameo roles in movies and was a kept woman of rich lovers. One of them arranged Eva on the radio, which brought her the first popularity.

Eva Duarte

Colonel Peron and Eva Duarte

1943 was a turning point for the girl and for the whole of Argentina: a military coup took place in the country and Juan Domingo Peron came to power. First he got a post in the Secretariat of Labor, and then the position of vice-president. Soon there was a meeting that Eva had been dreaming about for a long time. At a charity event, she approached Juan Peron and uttered just one phrase: "Thank you, Colonel, for the fact that you exist." That same night, Eva became his mistress and never parted from him again.

Eva in 1934 and in 1939

Argentine President Juan Peron and Evita Duarte

Thanks to Peron, Eva got the main roles in films, her 5-minute broadcast on the radio became 15 minutes, and the fees increased several times. Eva followed the colonel everywhere, appeared with him at rallies and trade union meetings. She managed to become irreplaceable for him not only in his personal life, but also in public activities.

Evita Peron

Evita on posters and covers

Colonel Peron and Eva Duarte

In 1945, another military coup took place. Peron was arrested, Evita was fired from her job. It was at this time that she received a letter from the colonel: "Only now I realized how much I love you. As soon as I am free, we will get married." And he kept his word — in the same year they got married.

Colonel Peron and Eva Duarte

Evita Peron

After his release, Peron put forward his candidacy for the presidency of Argentina. Evita took an active part in his election campaign. The people loved her very much — a simple girl, the daughter of a dishwasher and a cattleman, managed to rise to the level of the first lady. In addition, she skillfully maintained the image of an ideal wife, the keeper of family and national values. Peron won the presidential election, but Evita won even more - the love and admiration of Argentines.

Evita Peron

The First Lady traveled around the country, receiving hundreds of visitors. Her main concern was caring for the poor, thanks to her, several laws were passed to facilitate the working conditions of workers, after her personal appeal to parliament, women were granted the right to vote. Her charitable foundation has helped hundreds of the poor, and Evita has opened kindergartens, hospitals, shelters and libraries with the funds of the foundation. She distributed 2,500 houses and apartments, 3,500 scholarships, and annually sent out more than a million parcels with gifts. The Argentines idolized her. Evita was popularly called "the princess of beggars", "the bearer of hope", "Saint Evita", "the spiritual leader of the nation".

Argentine President Juan Peron and Evita Duarte

At the same time, the Argentine aristocrats, who immediately disliked her, got it from the first lady. She nationalized newspapers and radio stations, oppositional to Peron, factories and factories that did not want to cooperate with her foundation, fired everyone who contradicted her.

Evita Peron

Soon Evita began to notice that she was getting tired quickly, losing weight and getting weaker. Doctors diagnosed her with cancer. At the age of 33, the nation's favorite died suddenly. "Don't cry for me, Argentina, I'm leaving, but I'm leaving you the most precious thing I have — Perona," she said goodbye.

Madonna in the movie "Evita", 1996

Madonna in the movie "Evita", 1996

A shot from the movie "Evita", 1996

Buenos Aires. The portrait of Evita Peron is installed on the building of the Ministry of Social Protection and Development.