Eva Per ó ón Foundation: For the Benefits of People or to Reinforce the Charisma of the Leaders?

Abstract

From its beginning in the garage at the presidential residence to its demise in 1955, the Eva Perón Foundation played a crucial, or even magical, role in the Peronist regime. This article intends to study its creation, objectives, financing, and aid missions to alleviate the misery of the poor in order to reach a conclusion that, on the one hand, the Foundation was created to offer social aids for the poor— especially labor in the informal sector, women, children, the youth, and the aged—who had been left out of the social benefits provided by the state through the labor unions. Since the Peronist government failed to establish the universal and egalitarian social security system, the Foundation replaced it and assumed its functions. On the other hand, the Foundation was used for political ends. It helped construct the image of Eva who seemed to be easily accessible, to work beyond her physical capacity, and to dedicate her life to help the marginalized poor. Evita, as she was called by the Peronists, became the Angel of the Poor or the Lady of Hope whereas the Foundation itself was seen in the eyes of the Peronists as a magician who could respond to the need of people rapidly and effectively. Additionally, the Foundation was a mechanism employed by Perón and Eva to seek support among sectors previously not integrated into the regime. All kinds of social aids offered were politicized and Peronist messages were transmitted through all channels. Hence, the Foundation served as a bridge that linked the beneficiaries to the Peronist regime.