Eva Peron Graces Argentina’s 100 Peso Note

The late Eva Peron, wife of populist Argentinean President Juan Peron and herself a leader of her people, has been exalted in books, biographies, a Broadway music and even a movie starring Madonna. However, last week Eva Peron’s memory was etched further into the Argentinean psyche after her image appeared on the 100 peso note. It marks a historic moment for Argentina, as it is the first time in the country’s history that a female image has appeared on a note. Forex brokers have valued the note at $22.

The image of Eva Peron, otherwise known as Evita, on the new 100 Peso note was in commemoration of her death 60 years ago last week Thursday. A ceremony was hosted by current president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the eve of Evita Peron’s passing anniversary. The President made it clear that the Evita Peron peso note should not be temporary, but should rather replace the current note featuring 19th century president Julio Argentino Roca. She stated, “It seems to me to be an homage that we owe not only to her but to ourselves”.

According to Fernandez, there was a plan previously in place to print Evita Peron’s image onto a note after her death on July 26th 1952. However, a military coup that overthrew her husband’s government, which reigned from 1946 to 1955, discarded such plans. Evita Peron’s popularity as well as her tragic early death from cancer made her image iconic, immortalizing what she stood for. Although a controversial figure, Evita Peron above all lived for the people, and fought passionately for a society that was more equal and just. A margin trading professional or an everyday person would agree, no women is better suited to represent her gender in Argentina than Evita Peron.