Margarita Maza

Benito Juaréz’s struggle to free Mexico from oppressive rule and bring about legal reforms that would serve the people came about as a result of many dedicated individuals and communities. His wife, Margarita Maza, deserves her own post for the sacrifices she made during the time her husband worked toward this end.


When Juaréz moved to Oaxaca City after receiving some education, he was not only thinking of finding work, he was searching for his sister. He found her working as a cook in the household of Italian immigrant and merchant Antonio Maza and his wife, Petra Parada.

Benito also found refuge and warmth in the Maza household. Through the Mazas, Benito found work and social connections that led to further education and introduction into Oaxacan society. Benito was 20 years old when Margarita was born, the Mazas’ youngest child. He bounced the baby on his knee and played with her like an older brother as she matured and while Benito’s career as a lawyer and state legislator blossomed.


By the time Margarita was 17, their mutual affection had also blossomed into love. Benito, a successful attorney at 37, proposed marriage. They were married in the church of San Felipe de Neri, in Oaxaca City, on July 31, 1843. Even today such a match would be unusual, but in the Oaxaca of 1843 it was unheard of. That he, a poor, dark brown Zapotec, and she, a lily-white daughter of a prominent merchant, were even able to associate, much less to marry, is testament to the Mazas’ liberal views.


The same liberal views and their iron determination to do something about them scarred the last half of Benito and Margarita’s 26-year marriage. From around 1854, when Benito was driven into exile in New Orleans, civil war, foreign invasion, and assassination attempts forced the family to be nearly always on the move, living in unfamiliar and trying circumstances, hounded and threatened by enemies, and continually lacking money.


One of the most dangerous episodes came in 1858, when Margarita, at the age of 32 had to move her five children and entire household from Oaxaca to Veracruz, where Benito was running the liberal Mexican government-in-exile. Fearing spies and assassins, Margarita took the tortuous, roundabout route over the heart of the Sierra Madre, traveling at night, on foot beside their burro-train, disguising herself in native huipil and sleeping by day in farm houses of friendly Zapotec campesinos.


Later, Benito and Margarita enjoyed two years of peace together, beginning in 1861, after the liberal triumph in the civil War of the Reforms. Their marriage, although severely tried by hardship and separation, was a supremely happy one. Twelve children resulted, seven—six girls and a boy—outlived their parents. Two boys and three girls died when still young. Their love, although profoundly deep, had few pretensions. Benito called her his “old lady.” She called him “Juaréz” and, when asked, replied that “he is very homely but good.”


Their peace together was short-lived. The French invasion forced Benito to travel the country, managing the government in a black carriage, one jump ahead of the French army. Margarita took the family into northern Mexico and finally to New York and Washington, D.C. There, she reached the depths of despair when two of her three sons died. She wrote to Benito: “The loss of my sons is killing me…I prefer death a thousand times more than life…I do not blame persons who kill themselves…If I had been braver I should have done it a year ago.”


Eventually Margarita recovered her equilibrium, buoyed by the birth of her first grandchild, a baby girl, and the admiring attention of American society, including General Ulysses S. Grant and President Andrew Johnson.


On June 19, 1867, after Maximillian was executed, Margarita returned home. She arrived with her party of 14, in Veracruz, showered by bouquets as she walked down the gangplank.


Reunited for 3 happy years with Margarita in Mexico City, Benito worked like a demon to turn his dreams for Mexico into reality. But overwork took its toll and Benito suffered a stroke in October 1870. He recovered partially to discover that Margarita was fatally ill. She died on January 2 1871, of cancer. Although weak, Benito strained with all of his strength to lift her body into the coffin. All of Mexico, both friends and former enemies, joined in grief with their president for their beloved Margarita Maza, who had given as much as any heroine could for both love and country. (Once again credit to Moon’s Oaxaca Handbook and Bruce Wipperman…who must live in Berkeley because in his acknowledgements, he thanks the folks at Café Roma.)