Eva Peron – better known by her nickname, Evita – will be on new 100-peso bills released into circulation in the coming weeks, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announced Wednesday.
“It’s not that Eva was perfect or a saint, quite the opposite. What made her into something greater, more unforgettable and immortal is that she was a humble woman of the people who had the great luck to meet a man and a people,” Fernandez said as she unveiled the new design.
The new design marks the first time a woman will appear on an Argentinian bill in 200 years, she said.
The announcement came on the eve of a series of events Thursday commemorating the 60th anniversary of the death of Peron, who was Argentina’s first lady from 1946 until 1952.
As first lady, Maria Eva Duarte de Peron championed the rights of the poor, pushed for more social programs and argued for women’s suffrage, drawing criticism from members of Argentina’s political establishment and its upper class. (CNN)