Over 1 million people pay their last respects to their idol Eva Peron, who died 26 July 1952 of cancer at the age of 33, during her official state funeral, 01 August 1952 through downtown Buenos Aires. Eva Peron, known as Evita, the second wife of Argentine President Juan Peron, was a radio and screen actress before her marriage in 1945. She became a powerful political influence and a mainstay of the Peron government. Next July 26, 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Eva Peron, who still represents the great Argentine women's myth for her defense of the poorest, after reaching power from humble and illegal origins.