Juan Domingo Peron
Juan Domingo Peron, (1895-1974). Argentinian political leader. As secretary of labour and welfare he gained support from the poorer workers, the descamisados. His mistress Eva (1922-52), popularly known as Evita, also rallied support for him. She was a film and radio actress renowned for her beauty and personal magnetism. The two were married in 1945 and Peron was elected president the following year. Following the death of Eva his popularity waned and he’ was overthrown in 1955. He was re-elected in 1973 but died a year later and was succeeded by his third wife, Isabel (1931- ), who became the world’s first woman president (1974-76).
