Anita Garibaldi

Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva di Garibaldi (1821-1849) was born in Brazil. She is famous for her association with the revolutionary Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882), who brought about the unification of Italy starting in the 1850's.

The couple met in Brazil, after which Anita, in 1839, left her husband, Manuel Duarte Aguiar, to be with Giuseppe Garibaldi. Upon seeing her for the first time, Garibaldi is said to have muttered, "You must be mine."

She took active part in the battles with him in the south of Brazil as well as in other South American countries. They were married in 1841.

Anita Garibaldi was said to be a skilled horsewoman and could handle a sword. She gave birth to four children and died while sick and pregnant with her fifth child. She and her husband took part in the defence of Rome, which was under siege by French troops. Advancing French and Austrian troops pursued them following a retreat from Rome. She died in her husband's arms.