| Director | Alan Parker |
|---|---|
| Budget | $55 million |
| Box office | $141 million |
A film is interrupted when news breaks of the death of Eva Perón, Argentina's First Lady, at the age of 33 (“A Cinema in Buenos Aires on July 26, 1952”). The nation goes into public mourning ("Requiem for Evita"), with a funeral worthy of a head of state. Ché, a member of the public, marvels at the spectacle and promises to show how Eva did "nothing for years" ("Oh What a Circus").
Flashbacks contrast Eva's funeral with that of her father, locally prominent, who died when Eva was a child. As her father’s illegitimate family, Eva's mother and her children are blocked from the funeral by the official widow and family. Managing to run to her father's coffin, Eva is physically carried out of the church by officiants.
At the age of 15, Eva lives in the provincial town of Junín, prostituting herself to touring tango singer Agustín Magaldi ("On This Night of a Thousand Stars"), who she blackmails by threatening to disclose their liaison unless he takes her to Buenos Aires ("Eva and Magaldi" / "Eva, Beware of the City"). In the city ("Buenos Aires"), Magaldi abandons her ("Another Suitcase in Another Hall"), and she goes through several relationships with increasingly influential men, becoming a model, actress and radio personality (“The Lady’s Got Potential”). She meets Colonel Juan Perón at a fundraiser following the 1944 San Juan earthquake ("Charity Concert"). Peron is intrigued by the now glamourous Eva ("The Art of the Possible"), who sets out to convince him that she is the woman for him ("I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You"). Accompanying Peron to his home, Eva ruthlessly evicts his very young mistress ("Hello and Goodbye").
Perón's connection with Eva adds to his populist image, since they are both from the working class. Eva has a radio show during Perón's rise and uses all of her skills to promote him, arousing the scorn of Peron’s fellow officers and rivals ("Peron's Latest Flame"). The controlling administration has him jailed, attempting to stunt his political momentum. The groundswell of support that Eva generates forces the government to release Perón, and he finds the people enamored of him and "Evita" (an endearment) ("A New Argentina"). Perón wins election to the presidency and marries Eva, who promises that the new government will serve the descamisados ("On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada").
At the start of the Perón government, Eva dresses glamorously ("High Flying, Adored"), enjoying the privileges of being the First Lady ("Rainbow High"). Soon after, she embarks on what is called her "Rainbow Tour" of Europe ("Rainbow Tour"). While there, she receives a mixed reception. The people of Spain, living under fascist dictator Francisco Franco, adore her; the people of Italy, with recent memories of Benito Mussolini and his mistress, call her a whore and throw things at her; and Pope Pius XII gives her a meager rosary gift. During the tour she begins to show signs of physical decline ("The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)"). Upon returning to Argentina, Eva establishes a foundation to help the poor ("Santa Evita"). The film suggests the Perónists otherwise plunder the public treasury ("And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)"). Though adored by the descamisados ("Partido Feminista"), the Perons are despised by the oligarchs ("Waltz for Eva and Che").
Eva is hospitalized and learns that she has terminal cancer. She declines the position of Vice President due to her failing health ("Don't Cry for Me Argentina"), and makes one final broadcast to the people of Argentina ("Eva's Final Broadcast"). She believes that her life was short because she shone like the "brightest fire" ("She Is a Diamond"), and helps Perón prepare to go on without her ("Your Little Body's Slowly Breaking Down"). Peron tenderly administers to her ("You Must Love Me"). A large crowd surrounds the Unzué Palace in a candlelight vigil praying for her recovery when the light of her room goes out, signifying her death ("Latin Chant"). At Eva's funeral, Ché is seen at her coffin, marveling at the influence of her brief life ("Lament"). He walks up to her glass coffin, embalmed body on display, kisses it, and joins the crowd of passing mourners.