Born: 3 September 1791, Uruguay
Died: 28 March 1858
Country most active: Uruguay
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Daughter of Don Marcos Monterrosso and Dona Juan Pau da Bermudiz. In 1817 she became the wife of Juan Antonio Lavalleja, Commander of the division of General Rivera. She was a brave and courageous woman who helped her husband in his patriotic and political career. He was the chief of the famous “33 Orientales” thirty-three patriots who, in 1825 , invaded the Province of Uruguay to save her from the enemy. With their motto “Libertad o Muerte,” they achieved their ideal at the Battle of Sarandi. Ana Lavalleja was an important ally in those stormy days, without fear or doubt for her husband. She spent with him his exile in Islas das Cobras, Brazil, and had to leave him to flee with their children to Buenos Aires. At the same time she tried to win the enemy by intelligent correspondence; manifestos are said to have been written by her. Her death was deeply felt and the history of Uruguay owes much to her capabilities.