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Young Life of Evita: Father's Tragic Demise, Mother's Tenacity, and Ambition for Dramatic Pursuits

Born in Los Toldos yet raised in Junín since her youth, Eva dealt with the societal prejudice of being a child born out of wedlock. Her father's tragic accident, her mother's deliberate move to a new location to avoid recognition, and Eva's early calling to pursue acting marked her formative years.

Young Life of Evita: Father's Tragic Demise, Mother's Tenacity, and Ambition for Dramatic Pursuits

In the early 1900s, Juan Duarte, a friendly and helpful man, held a respectable position in Nueve de Julio, Argentina. He served as a councilman for the Conservative Party, a Justice of the Peace, and managed agriculture and livestock on the "La Unión" estate and "La Porteña" establishment in Los Toldos. Due to inconsistent spellings of his last name Uhart, he opted to adopt the surname Duarte[4].

A fascinating tale unfolds at the "La Unión" estate, about twenty kilometers from Los Toldos. Juan Duarte had another family with Juana Ibarguren, with whom he had five children, all registered as natural children. Juana, born in 1894, was the daughter of a stable keeper and a wagon driver. Like her mother, she worked in the fields at the "La Unión" estate[5][6].

Fast forward to May 7, 1919, where Evita, commonly known as "Cholita," entered the world. Her mother was orchestrated by Juana Rawson de Guayquil, a Mapuche midwife from the Coliqueo tribe, and she was registered as Eva María Ibarguren in the civil registry of Los Toldos[6]. Juan Duarte, despite being unmarried to Juana Ibarguren, played a pivotal role in the family's well-being[5].

On a fateful day in 1926, tragedy struck the Duarte family. While returning to Chivilcoy, Juan Duarte was involved in a head-on collision in his Chevrolet, resulting in the instant death of one of his nephews. Juan Duarte succumbed to his injuries the next day, leaving behind his wife and five children, including Evita[7]. The family was plunged into grief, but they endured, moving to Junín and adopting the Duarte surname to seek a fresh start.

Juana Ibarguren took up odd jobs, such as seamstress work, to support her family. Her daughters, Blanca and Evita, helped her maintain the household, while Erminda joined the workforce as a postal employee, and Juan took up odd jobs[1]. Despite the challenges, Evita continued to nurture her passion for performance, participating in local theater productions[2].

As Evita reached adolescence, she yearned for opportunities in the bustling city of Buenos Aires. Initially met with resistance, she eventually moved to the city, leaving behind the life she had known. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Evita's life, as she embarked on a journey that would forever change her destiny and the course of Argentine history[3].

  • Evita Birth
  • Juan Perón
  • Evita's Early Life
  • Los Toldos
  • Junín
  • Performance
  1. Juana Ibarguren and Juan Duarte, despite their humble backgrounds working in the fields at "La Unión" estate and their unconventional relationship, established a family in the early 1900s.
  2. Inheriting Juan Duarte's passion for public service, Juana Ibarguren took up odd jobs to support the family, showcasing an early indication of their resilience and adaptability.
  3. Evita, who inherited Juan Duarte's charisma, nurtured a passion for performance and participated in local theater productions, hinting at the remarkable career she was destined for.
  4. Juan Duarte, despite not being officially married to Juana Ibarguren, played a crucial role in the family's well-being, demonstrating the importance of relationships in their lifestyle.
  5. Fast forward to the 1920s, and the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and shopping industries might have intrigued Evita as she dreamt of a life far from the "La Unión" estate.
  6. As Evita transitioned to life in Buenos Aires, she sought opportunities in sports, travel, and cars, aiming to broaden her horizons and escape the challenges faced in Los Toldos and Junín.
  7. While Juana Ibarguren continued to work as a seamstress, Evita's indulgence in a bustling lifestyle – from the arts scene to social events – reflects the juxtaposition between her simple beginnings and her evolving career and social status, making her a captivating and influential figure in Argentine history.
Grew up in Junín despite a birth in Los Toldos. Marked by the social burden of illegitimacy. Tragic death of her father, her mother's strategy to relocate to avoid recognition, and Eva's zealous pursuit of an acting career.
Lived in Junín since childhood, despite being born in Los Toldos. Struggling with the label of an illegitimate child, she faced challenges due to her father's tragic accident, her mother's intent to relocate to an unfamiliar town to escape judgment, and her aspirations to carve a career in acting at a young age.

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