6LIFE LESSONS FROM

Evita Perón 

While Eva Perón was a unique individual, I think her story resonates with all of us in many ways. She grew up in total poverty, made herself into a success, and eventually became the recognized “Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Argentina.” We each must invent and develop ourselves to grow from our roots and become… that which we each become. We aspire to greatness, or at least success, in our adult lives.

6 Life Lessons From Evita

Perón

Lesson 1 : Humble Beginnings“Now Eva Perón had every disadvantage you need if you’re going to succeed. No money, no class, no father, no bright lights. There was nowhere she’d been at the age of fifteen…” Eva Duarte became Evita – Champion of women and the working class –because of her poverty. If she had been raised in a middle class family, she would have lost the drive that made her powerful and famous.

Lesson 2 : Embracing Risk“Eva, beware of the city. It’s hungry and cold, can’t be controlled, it is mad. Those who are fools are swallowed up whole, and those who are not, become what they should not – become changed; in short, they go bad.” Eva had to embrace her hope of a better life, visualize a way to make it happen, then take a tremendous risk to leave her old life behind and try to create a new one.

Lesson 3 : Adapt and Communicate“It seems crazy, but you must believe, there’s nothing calculated, nothing planned. Please forgive me if I seem naïve, I would never try to force your hand; but please understand, I’d be surprisingly good for you.” Evita knew what Juan Perón desired, adapted to it, and communicated her ability to help him with his political ambitions. That, as much as sex, led to their enduring relationship.

Lesson 4 : Appearances Matter

“I came from the people, they need to adore me, so Christian Dior me from my head to my toes. I need to be dazzling, I want to be Rainbow High! They must have excitement, and so must I… I’m their product, It’s vital you sell me, so Machiavell-me; make an Argentine rose!”

Evita took this principle completely to heart. She was one of the first women in Argentina to sometimes wear pants instead of a skirt. By doing so, she promoted the message that women are equal to men and can do whatever men did. This was a very radical concept in the 1930′s!

Lesson 5 : Cut Like a Diamond“She’s a diamond in their dull grey lives – and that’s the hardest kind of stone – It usually survives.” Evita knew that appearances are important, but so are accomplishments. While she was dazzling the aristocracy and the proletariat alike, she used her beauty and her passion to transform Argentinean society. In her 33 years of life, Eva Perón managed to create enduring changes far greater than most of us accomplish in much longer careers.

Lesson 6 : Pursue Your Passion“Now I am a worker; I’ve suffered the way that you do. I’ve been unemployed and I’ve starved and I’ve hated it too.” This was a woman driven to help others and to make real change in her country. And that drive is what made Evita immortal. She could have continued on as a rich and moderately famous radio actress. But because she cared about her people, she became much more.

Eva Perón remains a controversial figure in Argentine history. Diminutive, attractive, and highly vivacious, both her friends and her enemies agreed that she was a woman of great personal charm. 

“Time is my greatest enemy.”  - Evita Peron 

So think about it. Why not do… a few of the things that you could do? If Evita Perón could start with so little, yet accomplish so much…….. maybe each of us can find time to do something worthwhile for our communities, our nations, and the world.

Thank You Very Much.Sompong Yusoontorn

“The choice was mineand mine completely,I could have any prize

That I desired…” Evita