Evita Museum
If you are a history buff, you may want to visit the museum and tomb of Eva Peron, one of the most powerful women in Argentina and South America whose legend was turned into a blockbuster Hollywood Musical.
Excerpt from the book Soul Searching in South America, from the Teresa the Traveler Series. While wondering the streets, I came across a sign pointing to the Evita Museum and knew right away I had to visit. I have been a fan of Evita ever since watching Madonna in the musical film about this politician/actresses amazing life. In 1944, at age 24, actress Eva Duarte met widower Jaun Domingo Peron at a ceremony held at Luna Park where she was honoured for raising funds for the victims of an earthquake that devastated the city of San Juan. In the seven short years her husband ruled Argentina, Evita improved the lives of the poor and the workers through legislation and construction. Children received education through Home Schools, the Children’s City, University Cities and the One Thousand Schools Plan and a safety net was created giving all citizens access to health care.
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The Eva Peron foundation constructed hospitals, nursing homes, schools, summer camps and provided scholarships to students and housing subsidies. The foundation also held mass at the end of each year where they provided cider and sweet breads to the poorer families.
Eva was also instrumental in fighting for women’s rights such as equality in marriage and parental rights and helping to achieve women’s suffrage. Unfortunately the woman, who many referred to as the spiritual leader of Argentina, had her life cut short due to cervical cancer and that is when the craziness began. After her death on July 26th1952, the government declared a 30-day national mourning. Her procession, which passed through the streets of Buenos Aires, was followed by over two million people while others threw flowers from nearby balconies. Her body, which was embalmed, was then put on display for two years while her final tomb, a statue larger than the Statue of Liberty, was being constructed. However, on September 23rd 1955, after Peron’s government was overthrown by the Liberating Revolution forces, her body was kidnapped and hidden for 16 years. The military finally revealed the location of her corpse; she had been buried in a crypt in Milan Italy under the name Maria Maggi. In 1971 her body was exhumed and flown to Spain where it was kept on the dining room table in the home of Juan Peron and his third wife Isabel Peron who, upon the death of her husband, was elected the first female president in the Western Hemisphere. Isabel returned Evita’s body to Argentina and after briefly displaying it beside the body of Juan Peron, had it buried in the Duarte family tomb in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta Cemetery |
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Evita the Musical Wikipedia - Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death.
The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London's West End in 1978, and on Broadway a year later, both of which enjoyed considerable success, winning both the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Musical. This has been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and numerous cast albums, as well as a major 1996 film of the musical starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The musical was revived in London in 2006, and on Broadway in 2012. |
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For tips on visiting Argentina CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting South America CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting South America CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
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Where I Stayed...
Hotel Mundial Avendia de Mayo, 1298 Buenos Aires, Argentina Tel: 54 11 5254 0001 recepcion@mundialhotel.com.ar www.mundialhotel.com.ar 
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How to Get There: Buenos Aires has an international airport
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