Manuela Saenz
Ecuadorian revolutionary heroine (1797-1856) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuela Saenz was born in Quito, Ecuador in 1797 during the Spanish colonial rule. She was the illegitimate child of a married Spanish nobleman. She went to school at the Convent of Santa Catalina. Manuela Saenz's nickname was Manuelita. She married a wealthy English doctor James Thorne, who was twice her age, in 1817.
Manuela Sáenz | |
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1st First Lady of Colombia | |
In office 17 June 1822 – 4 May 1830 | |
President | Simón Bolívar |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Juana Jurado y Bertendona |
6th First Lady of Peru | |
In office 10 February 1824 – 28 January 1827 | |
President | Simón Bolívar |
Preceded by | Mariana Carcelén |
Succeeded by | Francisca Cernadas |
1st First Lady of Bolivia | |
In office 12 August – 29 December 1825 | |
President | Simón Bolívar |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Mariana Carcelén |
Personal details | |
Born | Manuela Sáenz de Vergara y Aizpuru (1797-12-27)27 December 1797 Quito, Viceroyalty of New Granada |
Died | 28 September 1856(1856-09-28) (aged 58) Paita, Peru |
Spouse(s) | James Thorne (married 1817 – estranged 1822) |
Domestic partner | Simón Bolívar (1822–1830) |
Occupation | Revolutionary and spy |
Signature |
She was an active member in the conspiracy against the viceroy of Perú, José de la Serna e Hinojosa during 1820. She left her husband in 1822. She had an affair with Simón Bolívar until he died in 1830.[1] She often wore a colonel's uniform, with her two black servants Jonatás and Nathán, also in soldier's uniforms
Saenz was called “la libertadora del libertador” because she saved Simon Bolivar's life. She followed Bolivar on his campaigns and saved his life in 1828. When assassins came for him she let him escape out the window. Manuela is quoted to have said "Go ahead, cowards, Kill me! Kill a woman!” when she was making time so Simon could escape.[1]
Saenz attempted to kill herself with a snake after Bolivar died, Saenz thought that no matter if Simon Bolivar died, his influence would never die because he gave so many people freedom. After Simon died she became a shopkeeper, Simon Bolivar had many lovers but it was only Saenz who he took with him into the most dangerous marches of the wars of independence in Latin America.[2]