University of Notre Dame

 

Hesburgh Libraries

Rare Books & Special Collections

Eva Perón (1919-1952)


Biographical Information

The Department of Special Collections holds an intriguing group of handwritten letters by Eva Maria Duarte de Perón (1919-1952), the wife of Argentine dictator Juan Domingo Perón. Born in the small town of Los Toldos in the province of Buenos Aires, she rose to international fame through her rags to riches story and her charitable activities in Argentina. Arguably the most controversial female political figure of the 20th century, she continues to engender passionate support and fiery hostility. Her contested history draws the interest of historians and artists throughout the world leading to books (500 and counting), Broadway musicals, and Hollywood films based on her life.

These letters show an intimate side of Eva Perón. Nearing her death from cancer, these letters are written to family members and close confidants. Who was Eva Perón? We probably will never really know, but these letters provide a brief personal glimps of her relationships with family and those closest to her.

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Description of Archival Collection (MSH/SCH 4021-1 to 4021-7)

The archive consists of seven letters written to her mother, mother-in-law, sister, niece, and confessor, and to Miguel Gamboa. There are also four books inscribed to her mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and niece.

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