Born in Quito, Ecuador, Manuela Sáenz was far more than just a revolutionary’s lover. She was a fiercely independent woman, a patriot, and a key revolutionary figure in her own right.
Manuela Sáenz played a vital role in the history of Latin American independence. Her story is intrinsically linked to Lima. And it’s specifically linked to the district of Pueblo Libre, where she lived and forged her destiny alongside two of the continent’s most important figures: José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.
Early Life and Manuela Sáenz Path to Lima
Manuela Sáenz was born in 1797. She was the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish nobleman and a Criolla woman. Her childhood was marked by a rebellious spirit that defied the strict social conventions of the time.
Educated in a convent, she learned to read and write. This was a rare accomplishment for women. Nevertheless, her free-spirited nature led to her expulsion.
Consequently, her father arranged a marriage to a wealthy English merchant, Dr. James Thorne. In 1819, she left Quito with her new husband. They moved to Lima and settled in the quiet, aristocratic suburb of Pueblo Libre.
While her husband was away on business, Manuela Sáenz began her covert activities. She used her privileged position to gain access to information and influence.
A Spy in the Liberators’ Village
Even before she ever met Simón Bolívar, Manuela Sáenz was a fervent supporter of the independence cause. While residing in Pueblo Libre, she actively participated in the revolutionary movement.
Manuela Sáenz acted as a spy and held secret meetings. She was a master of clandestine operations. For instance, she used her social connections among the elite to gather intelligence on the Spanish authorities. She then passed this crucial information to patriot forces.
Her most significant act of service was with the Numancia Regiment. This regiment, originally part of the Spanish royalist forces, was stationed in Lima, near Pueblo Libre.
Manuela worked with patriot conspirators to convince the regiment to defect to the independence cause. Her courage and critical role in this defection were pivotal. And they didn’t go unnoticed by the Liberator of the South, José de San Martín, who viewed the successful defection as a major victory.
For her service, José de San Martín personally awarded Manuela Sáenz, the Order of the Sun. This was the highest honor available. And it was rarely, if ever, bestowed upon a woman. This recognition was a powerful testament to her courage and officially established her as a prominent figure in the liberation effort.
The Immortal Love of Simón Bolívar
The most famous chapter of Manuela Sáenz’s life began in Quito in 1822. Around the time of the pivotal Guayaquil conference, where San Martín handed over his command to Bolívar, and their paths crossed.
Their love was profound and immediate. Manuela Sáenz became Bolívar’s lover, confidante, and a vital political partner. Eventually, she followed him back to Peru, where she rejoined her life in Pueblo Libre.
The relationship between Sáenz and Bolívar was tested and strengthened by the perils of war and politics. And Manuela’s courage was legendary.
On a famous occasion in Bogotá, she single-handedly saved Bolívar’s life during a midnight assassination attempt. She awoke to the sound of assassins at his door. She alerted him, and then held them at bay while he escaped through a window.
For her decisive act of bravery she earned the famous title of “Liberatora del Libertador” (Liberator of the Liberator). This name was given to her by Bolívar himself.
Her influence and unwavering support were crucial to his campaigns. She managed his political correspondence and served as a crucial adviser.
Bolívar’s fondness for her was so great that he affectionately called her “la amable loca,” or “the kind madwoman.” A nickname that affectionately acknowledged her passionate and often rebellious spirit.
Note: Manuela Sáenz was also an active combatant in the final battles for Peru’s independence. For her role in the battle of Ayacucho, another of the famous former residents of Pueblo Libre, Antonio José de Sucre, personally recommended to Simón Bolívar that she be awarded the rank of Colonel. Dressed as a man, she used to ride into battle dressed as a Colonel, with her two freed black slaves by her side dressed as soldiers.
A Revolutionary in Exile
After Bolívar’s death in 1830, Manuela’s life took a tragic turn. She was exiled from Colombia and later from Ecuador due to her close association with Bolívar’s political agenda. She was also exiled from Lima.
Manuela Sáenz was deemed a dangerous revolutionary and a political threat by the new governments. For the final decades of her life, she lived in humble exile in the small coastal town of Paita, Peru. And she made a living by selling tobacco and translating letters for English sailors.
Despite her impoverished circumstances, she remained a dignified figure. She received notable visitors such as Simón Bolívar’s secretary, Daniel O’Leary, and the famous American writer, Herman Melville.
She died in 1856 during a diphtheria epidemic. And she was buried in a mass grave, her house burnt to the ground. Her story was largely forgotten by the nations she helped liberate.
The Enduring Legacy of Manuela Sáenz
For decades, Manuela Sáenz’s legacy was overshadowed by the men she served. However, in recent years, she has been rightfully reclaimed as a hero in her own right.
In 2007, her exile was lifted and she was symbolically named an Honorary General of the Ecuadorian Army. Furthermore, her remains and soil from her grave were ceremonially transported to Caracas, Venezuela. In a monumental act of recognition, they were placed in a coffin draped in the flags of the six nations Bolívar liberated.
She was then entombed alongside Simón Bolívar in the National Pantheon of Venezuela. Thereby reuniting them 180 years after they were separated by Bolívar’s death.
To this day, the deep connection between them is immortalized in Pueblo Libre. Manuela’s home was located on Plaza Bolívar near the Quinta de los Libertadores and across from the historic Santa Maria Magdalena church.
Today, a statue of Bolívar stands at one end of Plaza Bolívar. It’s deliberately positioned so that his gaze is directed away from the Government buildings and permanently towards the site of her former home (now a museum).
This poignant detail makes Pueblo Libre a place of not only political history, but also of romantic legend. It’s a testament to the enduring influence of this extraordinary woman, Manuela ‘Manuelita’ Sáenz.
