They were the political power couple equivalent to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Him: an ambitious colonel who rose to power with the overthrow of an unpopular president. Her: a popular radio actress, one of the highest-paid women in the country. Juan Peron met Eva Duarte during a fundraiser that he organized for victims of an earthquake. Immediately taken with the young actress, he began courting her. Peron introduced Eva to his inner political circle and made her attend their meetings and discussions. As Eva became more versed in the intricacies of political life, she began campaigning for the election of her husband.

On this day, February 24, in 1946, Juan Peron was elected president of Argentina. He was no doubt helped tremendously by the star power of his wife. As she toured to every corner of Argentina alongside her husband, she told the assembled crowds to call her just “little Eva” – Evita.

Peron instituted many progressive reforms during his time as president: workers were guaranteed paid vacations, free medical care, and (for women) three months paid time off for childbirth. Eva, meanwhile, completed a goodwill tour of Europe and started several charitable foundations. She entered politics, campaigning successfully to grant women the right to vote, and was almost elected vice president. In 1978, a musical stage play honoring her opened in London, moving to Broadway for a long, successful run a year later.