Manuela Sáenz

The Order of the Sun of Peru was bestowed upon Manuela Sáenz in 1822, recognizing her critical intelligence and logistical contributions to the independence movement. Born in Quito in 1797, she emerged from colonial social constraints to navigate the turbulent politics of South America, ultimately serving as a pivotal figure in the formation of Gran Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.

Early Life and Social Standing

Born to Maria Joaquina Aizpuru and the Spanish nobleman Simón Sáenz de Vergara y Yedra, Sáenz spent her formative years at the Convent of Santa Catalina in Quito. Her exposure to the colonial caste system ended abruptly at age seventeen. By 1817, she entered a marriage of convenience with James Thorne, a wealthy English doctor. This union relocated her to Lima, Peru, where she utilized her position as a socialite to host gatherings for political leaders and military personnel.

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Revolutionary Activism and Espionage

Sáenz radicalized following the liberation of New Granada. In Lima, she actively conspired against the royalist administration of Viceroy José de la Serna e Hinojosa. She successfully collaborated with other pro-independence figures, including Rosa Campuzano, to recruit colonial troops, notably influencing the Numancia regiment to defect to the forces of José de San Martín. During this period, she operated as a spy, gathering sensitive military data.

Partnership with Simón Bolívar

Following her separation from Thorne in 1822, Sáenz established an eight-year partnership with Simón Bolívar. As a political activist and military associate, she held the titles of First Lady of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. She often appeared in public wearing a colonel’s uniform, accompanied by her servants, Jonatás and Nathán. Her actions during the 1828 assassination attempt on Bolívar proved critical; she facilitated his escape, earning the designation 'Libertadora del libertador'.

Political Exile and Legacy

In 1827, Sáenz faced imprisonment by the Peruvian government following her efforts to suppress a mutiny by the Third Division of the Colombian Army in Lima. After her release and subsequent exile, she continued to advocate for political causes. She spent her final years in Paita, Peru, where she died in 1856. Her remains are interred at the National Pantheon.