Doña Margarita is part of iLaCatrina®’s Las Doñas de México Collection, a tribute to women whose strength, conviction, and influence helped shape the history of Mexico.
Inspired by Margarita Maza de Juárez, the icon honors a woman whose role extended far beyond that of the wife of President Benito Juárez. During one of the most turbulent periods of the nineteenth century, Margarita endured political persecution, repeated separations from her husband, financial hardship, exile, and profound personal loss while protecting her family and remaining committed to the Republican cause.
During the French Intervention and the struggle to preserve the Republic, Margarita became an important presence abroad. While living in the United States, she represented the Republican government symbolically, maintained political relationships, and supported efforts connected to the restoration of the Republic. In 2026, the Mexican government formally recognized this historical role by naming her “Primera Embajadora Histórica de la República Mexicana.”
Her influence was also political and personal. Historical accounts describe a woman with a clear understanding of the circumstances surrounding Benito Juárez, offering observations and counsel during critical moments while navigating the responsibilities placed upon women in nineteenth-century Mexican society.
Through Doña Margarita, iLaCatrina® honors Margarita Maza as a figure of resilience, intelligence, loyalty, and civic commitment, recognizing her place among the women who helped sustain Mexico during the struggle to defend and consolidate the Republic.