At this point in her life, Mirtha Legrand has no shortage of titles or honors. One might assume that she achieved it all, and more. However, the great diva of Argentine television received this Wednesday an award that crowns his great year: has been recognized by France with the prestigious outstanding merit of the Legion of Honorthe highest honor awarded by the French government worldwide.

Claudia Scherer-EffosseFrench ambassador to Argentina, received the chiqui in the Golden Room on the first floor of the beautiful Ortiz Basualdo Palacethe home of the French Republic in Argentina since 1939.

Emotion and gratitude in the first person

“At one point I said I don’t believe in awards, but after 82 years of work today I say ‘Yes, I deserve it’. Thank you my beloved Argentina, long live Argentina, long live France,” said Mirtha, sitting in a cozy purple armchair with golden touches.

More than one had imagined his speech delivered in French, though he preferred to do it in Spanish because he recognized that he didn’t handle that language perfectly. your great-granddaughter, Ámbar (Juana’s daughter), had the courage to thank in French on behalf of her great-grandmother and her entire family.

According to Mirta, “a woman who speaks French is a great seducer”. At another point in her speech, she confessed that “It is incredible that a Martínez Suárez, a descendant of Spaniards, received this honor“.

In this tribute, Mirtha was accompanied by her daughter, Marcela Tinayre; his three grandchildren, Juana and Nacho Viale and Rocco Gastaldi; and his three great-grandchildren, Ambra, Silvestre and Ali. Also present was part of Goldie’s family, her twin sister who died in the midst of the pandemic.

Celebrities from all walks of life

Celebrities attending the gala included Carolina Pampita Ardohain and her husband, Roberto Garcia Moritan; Patricia Bullrich, Teté Coustarot, Lucía Galán, Facundo Manes, Jorge Macri and his new wife, María Belén Ludueña.

There were also the designers Gino Bogani and Claudio Cosanohis friends Carlos Rottemberg, Iliana and Coca Calabró and the former DT Carlos Bianchi.

During her speech, Mirtha has expressed her emotion several times before this distinction he wore on the left side of his chest and then in conversation with clarionshe said she was “very excited, very excited… They all came.” Mirtha knows she is dear. And he knows how to thank you.

The event saw the performance of jairuswho has chosen one of her classics, in French, to pay homage to the diva: dead leavessong that little girl he sang, in a low voice, along with the musician.

Mirta & France

In addition to his indisputable resume, the French link with Mirtha comes naturally from Daniel Andrés Manoli Tinayredirector, screenwriter and producer born in Vertheuil (in the New Aquitaine region), known during filming five kisseswhen she was 17 and he was 35. E they were husband and wife.

little girlwho was a rising star, was shooting a scene for Luis Savlasky’s film when Tinayre walked onto the set and was blown away by her beauty. It was a crush on Hollywood. They were married on May 18, 1946, three months after they met. They had 2 children and lived together for 48 years.until his death on October 24, 1994.

The Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur it is a prize that It is awarded to personalities of culture, art and the civil world, French or foreign, for extraordinary merits.

It was established by Napoleon in 1804 and before it they received it, among other Argentines: Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Le Parc, Quino together with Mafalda, Estela de Carlotto, Susana Rinaldi Y Mauro Colagreco.

Mirtha became aware of the distinction three months ago, through a letter sent to her by the French ambassador in our country. Just when the promotional spot for La Casa del Dragon in which she starred and turned her into a targaryen for a day (the video was made by StoryLab, his nephew’s production company) and a month before his return to television with Mirta’s nightof Eltrece.

At that moment, Mirtha, surprised, confessed clarion the importance of this award: “I received a letter from the French ambassador in Argentina, informing me that the French government had appointed me “Knight of the Legion of Honor””.

“I think I have collaborated a lot with the Embassy, ​​but I never imagined they would give it to me, so I’m very happy. I remember that they had given it to China (Zorrilla), years ago, and also to various Argentine personalities. But for me it was amazing! It’s really a great honor.”