Succeeded her husband, Juan Peron, as President of Argentina following his death in 1974 making her the world's first female president.  She remained in office until 1976 when she was seized and placed under house arrest for 5 years by the military on suspicion of corruption.  In 1981 she was convicted of corrupt practice and upon receiving parole fled to Spain.  She was pardoned in 1983.

Historians believe as a leader she was manipulated by her ministers at a time of extreme violence and corruption in Argentina.

In 2007 an Argentine judge issued a warrent for her arrest on suspicion of permitting the military to commit human rights abuses during her presidency.  She was arrested by Spanish police but released a few hours later.  In 2008 a Spanish court ruled that she could not be extradited to face charges in Argentina as the charges 'did not constitute crimes against humanity'.