Simón Bolívar & Manuela Sáenz
The Liberator of the Liberator
The Quito-born revolutionary who left her husband to fight and love alongside the Liberator, saved his life in 1828, and earned the title "Liberator of the Liberator."
01Why it matters
It is the great love story of Spanish-American independence, and Manuela's rehabilitation as a feminist heroine is one of the region's great historical recoveries.
02The conflict
Manuela's prior marriage to James Thorne; the politics of independence; the plot to assassinate Bolívar.
03The iconic moment
September 25, 1828: Manuela confronts the assassins so Bolívar can escape through a window.
04What survived
García Márquez's "The General in His Labyrinth"; her stature as a heroine of independence and feminism.
05What to watch, read & listen
06Where to travel
07Frequently asked questions
Why is the story of Simón Bolívar & Manuela Sáenz famous?
It is the great love story of Spanish-American independence, and Manuela's rehabilitation as a feminist heroine is one of the region's great historical recoveries.
How does the story of Simón Bolívar & Manuela Sáenz end?
September 25, 1828: Manuela confronts the assassins so Bolívar can escape through a window. García Márquez's "The General in His Labyrinth"; her stature as a heroine of independence and feminism.
Where can you visit the story of Simón Bolívar & Manuela Sáenz?
You can visit Quito (Independence Square), in Quito. Her birthplace.
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