Buenos Aires (1974)

After eightieen years in exile, Juan Perón was elected for the third time President of Argentina. I photographed his birthday celebration and four days later the grand celebration for the start of his presidency on October 13. 1973.

His reign lasted only nine months; President Perón passed away on July 1, 1974. I covered Argentina in mourning; over one hundred fifty thousand people braved the cold and rain to pay their final respects to their President. Hundreds collapsed from exhaustion and fainted from emotional stress. More than 2000 journalists, from all over the world, were present to covered the funeral on July 4th. Later in the year, the remains of Eva Peron, Juan Peron’s second wife, returned to Buenos Aires. It felt like the whole country was on its feet greeting their beloved Evita.

Here are some of the images I took on those momentous occasions.

CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF PRESIDENT JUAN PERON TO POWER (AFTER 18 YEARS) October 12, 1973

CELEBRATING PRESIDENT'S JUAN PERON BIRTHDAY. October 8, 1974

Entrance to Quinta de Olivos, official residence of the president, where the birthday party was held.

López Rega, the 'Éminence grise' or by many named the 'Rasputin' or 'el Brujo' wishes President Peron a happy birthday.

A carne asado (South American steak BBQ) for the president's birthday

OVER A HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE WAITED IN THE COLD AND RAIN TO SAY A LAST FAREWELL TO PRESIDENT JUAN PERON. (Died July 1, 1974)

Some people had waited for over 24 hrs in the cold and rain to be able to say a final goodbye to President Juan Perón

The people huddled together to stay warm

Soup for those who wanted: courtesy of the military

For 46 hours the body of the President lay in state in the Palace of the National Congress,.

The new President, Isabel Perón, former Vice-President

Painting of Eva Perón; she was adored by the Argentinian people but died of cervical cancer in 1952 at the age of 33.

It was Isabel Perón who arranged for the return of Eva's remains to Argentina.

President Isabel Peron, who enabled the return of Evita's remains.

López Rega, 'el Brujo', the real power behind the throne.

Buenos Aires (1974)

CHAS GERRETSEN