Evita: Argentina’s Divisive Icon (with Mercedes Vileta)

You may recognise her as the woman who, in the face of impending death from cancer at the age of just 33, implored Argentina not to cry for her from the iconic balcony of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires. She certainly made a lot of speeches from the balcony of the Casa Rosada. She knew how to connect to a crowd. She also knew how to ruffle feathers, and didn’t care that she did so. Even though it was actually her husband who was the president, Evita has become the enduring face of his political legacy (known as “Peronism”).

In this episode, which is half an hour longer than the usual time limit (as there was so much to talk about and the original conversation was almost 3 hours long!), I am joined by Buenos Aires tour guide Mercedes as we delve deep into the life of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952, and explore some of the controversies and myths surrounding her. Loved and despised in equal measure in Argentina, with no middle ground, her legacy is a very divisive one with each side claiming certain truths about her life. We’re going to try as much as possible to talk objectively about her and find the nuance between the two emotionally charged narratives of Evita.

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If you are planning on visiting Buenos Aires, do take a tour with Mercedes, she is absolutely fantastic - knowledgable, insightful, objective and impartial. 10/10. Book a tour with her.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen.

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