Eva Peron – otherwise known as Evita - became an icon in 1940s Argentina, famous for her passionate speeches and populist rhetoric.

Born into poverty, she moved to Buenos Aries at the age of 15 to become an actress, and was soon starring in radio soap operas.

In 1945, she married Colonel Juan Peron, a rising figure in the Argentinian military, and supported his campaign to become president.

After he won the election, she set up the Eva Perón Foundation, to distribute money, food and medicines to the poor. It won her the adulation of Argentina’s working classes, although some believed she exploited her position for personal gain.

Eva fell ill with cancer, and on 17 October 1951, she made her last major public appearance from the presidential palace balcony. It was to be her most famous speech, later inspiring the award-winning song, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, from the musical Evita.

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(Photo: Eva Peron in 1951. Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images)

Eva Peron: Argentina’s Evita

Witness History