María Lorenza Barreneche

María Lorenza Barreneche Iriarte (July 3, 1926 – January 5, 2016) was an Argentine public figure and wife of the late President Raúl Alfonsín. She held the position of First Lady of Argentina from 1983 until 1989.[1][2][3]

María Lorenza Barreneche
First Lady of Argentina
In office December 10, 1983 – July 8, 1989
President	Raúl Alfonsín
Preceded by	Nilda Raquel Belén
Succeeded by	Zulema Yoma
Personal details
Born	July 3, 1926 Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died	January 5, 2016(2016-01-05) (aged 89) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spouse(s)	Raúl Alfonsín (1949–2009; his death)
Children	Raúl Felipe Ana María Ricardo Luis Marcela María Inés Javier Ignacio

Barreneche was born in 1926 in Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province, to Felipe Barreneche Echaide (1898-1984) and María Lorenza Iriarte Hospital (1898-1989).[2][3] She was of Basque descent.[4] She met her husband, Raúl Alfonsín, a law student who was also born in Chascomús, at a masquerade ball during the 1940s.[2][3] The couple, who married in 1949, had six children: Raúl Felipe (b. 1949), Ana María (b. 1950), Ricardo (b. 1952), Marcela (b. 1953), María Inés (b. 1954), and Javier Ignacio (b. 1956).[2][3] Barreneche, who disliked politics, focused on raising their children during her husband's political career.[3]

Former President Raúl Alfonsín died on March 31, 2009.[3] Barreneche Iriarte was unable to attend his state funeral due to her own poor health.[3] Barreneche had suffered from declining health during her later life, including loss of eyesight and decreased mobility.[1] She died in Buenos Aires on January 5, 2016, at the age of 89.[1] Her remains were cremated at La Chacarita Cemetery.[1][2] She was buried in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires.[2][3] President Mauricio Macri tweeted his condolences to her family.[3]

References

1. "María Barreneche, Raúl Alfonsín's widow, dies". Buenos Aires Herald. 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
2. "Murió María Lorenza Barreneche, la viuda de Raúl Alfonsín". La Nación. 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
3. "Murió María Lorenza Barrenechea, la esposa de Raúl Alfonsín". Clarín (Argentine newspaper). 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
4. ""Ha muerto el padre de la democracia", titularon los diarios argentinos la noticia sobre el fallecimiento de Raúl Alfonsín". Euskal Kultura. 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2016-01-10.

Honorary titles
Preceded by Nilda Raquel Belén	First Lady of Argentina 1983–1989	Succeeded by Zulema Yoma