Pilar Primo de Rivera

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Pilar Primo de Rivera y Sáenz de Heredia (November 4, 1907-March 17, 1991) was the sister of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of the Falange, a political movement of Spain, as well as the daughter of Spanish dictator General Miguel Primo de Rivera.

She was an enthusiastic member of the Falange, heading its Sección Femenina ("Women's Section"). Unlike two of her brothers (both put to death by the Republicans), she survived the Spanish Civil War, during which she met Hitler, Mussolini, and Salazar. She attempted to prevent reprisals being taken against the widows of Republican militants, and supported the ascent of King Juan Carlos I in 1975, but was disappointed when the paternalist system - the Spanish State - was dismantled during the Spanish transition to democracy.

Pilar became president of the Association of Sección Femenina Veterans in November 1977, and held the post until her death.

In addition to her political duties, Pilar carried out an interesting job in compiling all different forms of Spanish folklore, specially in the fields of regional music and dances.

She never married. Francisco Franco's foreign minister, Ramón Serrano Suñer, attempted to arrange a marriage between her and Hitler in order to create a fascist dynasty, but this plan never came to fruition.

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