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He was easily elected president of his country in 1946, but lost a great deal of his popularity after the death of his wife in 1952, and he was overthrown in 1955 by a military coup. Who was this person, two-time president of Argentina?

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JUAN PERON - people illustration
JUAN PERONpeople

Juan Perón was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Argentine history, whose political movement, Peronism, continues to influence the nation. He first rose to power in 1946, winning the presidency with overwhelming support from the working class, largely due to his populist policies that championed labor rights and social welfare. His charismatic wife, Eva Perón, affectionately known as Evita, was instrumental in building this popular base, advocating fiercely for the poor and for women's suffrage, and becoming a beloved national icon.

However, the political landscape shifted dramatically after Eva Perón's untimely death from cancer in 1952. Her passing dealt a significant blow to Juan Perón's popularity and left a void in his administration. Coupled with economic challenges and growing opposition, his government began to lose its broad appeal. This decline culminated in a military coup in September 1955, known as the "Revolución Libertadora," which successfully overthrew his government and forced him into exile.

Despite his removal from power, Perón's influence endured. After nearly two decades in exile, he made a remarkable return to Argentina and was re-elected president in 1973, serving a third term until his death in 1974. This made him a two-time president of Argentina, leaving behind a complex and deeply divisive, yet undeniably impactful, legacy that continues to shape Argentine politics and society.