María Lorenza Barreneche Iriarte (3 July 1925 – 5 January 2016) was an Argentine public figure and wife of the late

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

Raúl Alfonsín Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín (; 12 March 1927 – 31 March 2009) was an Argentine lawyer and statesman who served as President of Argentina from 10 December 1983 to 8 July 1989. He was the first democratically elected president after the 7-yea ...

. She held the position of

First Lady of Argentina First Lady or First Gentleman of Argentina (), also known as First Lady or First Gentleman of the Argentine Nation (), is a title typically held by the spouse of the president of Argentina, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although ...

from 1983 until 1989. Barreneche was born in 1926 in Chascomús,

Buenos Aires Province Buenos Aires, officially the Buenos Aires Province, is the largest and most populous Provinces of Argentina, Argentine province. It takes its name from the city of Buenos Aires, the capital of the country, which used to be part of the province an ...

, to Felipe Barreneche Echaide (1896–1984) and María Lorenza Iriarte Hospital (1898–1989). She was of

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

descent. She met her husband, Raúl Alfonsín, a law student who was also born in Chascomús, at a

masquerade ball A masquerade ball (or bal masqué) is a special kind of formal ball which many participants attend in costume wearing masks. (Compare the word "masque"—a formal written and sung court pageant.) Less formal " costume parties" may be a descend ...

during the 1940s. The couple who married in 1948, had six children namely Raúl Felipe (b. 1949), Ana María (b. 1951), Ricardo (b. 1953), Marcela (b. 1955), María Inés (b. 1957) and Javier Ignacio (b. 1959). Barreneche, who disliked politics, focused on raising their children during her husband's political career. Former President Raúl Alfonsín died on 31 March 2009. Barreneche was unable to attend his state funeral due to her own poor health. Barreneche had suffered from declining health during her later life, including loss of eyesight and decreased mobility. She died in Buenos Aires on 5 January 2016, at the age of 90. Her remains were cremated at

La Chacarita Cemetery The La Chacarita Cemetery (, also known as "Cementerio del Oeste") is a cemetery located in the Chacarita neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Occupying an area of 95 hectare, it is the largest in the country.La Recoleta Cemetery La Recoleta Cemetery () is a cemetery located in the Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Recoleta Barrios and Communes of Buenos Aires, neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It contains the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón, President of Ar ...

in Buenos Aires. President

Mauricio Macri Mauricio Macri (; born 8 February 1959) is an Argentine businessman and politician who served as President of Argentina from 2015 to 2019. He has been the leader of the Republican Proposal (PRO) party since its founding in 2005. He previously ...

tweeted his condolences to her family.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barreneche, Maria Lorenza 1925 births 2016 deaths First ladies and gentlemen of Argentina Argentine socialites Argentine people of Basque descent People from Chascomús Burials at La Recoleta Cemetery