Marina Vega facts for kids

Marina Vega de la Iglesia (born March 21, 1923, in Torrelavega, Spain – died June 11, 2011, in Madrid) was a brave Spanish spy. She fought against the Franco government during and after the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). After World War II, she also helped find Nazis who were hiding.

Marina was the only woman in a special Spanish group that worked for the French Resistance. She joined the Charles de Gaulle's Free French Forces when she was just 17 years old.

Early Life and Challenges

Sample Resistance Medal (France) awarded to Vega

Marina Vega grew up in a wealthy family that believed in democracy and was against fascism. When Francisco Franco and his forces won the Spanish Civil War, things changed. Marina's father, who worked for the government, was sent to jail. He was accused of certain beliefs that the new government did not like.

Her mother also had to hide to stay safe. Because of this difficult situation, Marina was sent to France to live with family friends. This was to protect her from the dangers in Spain.

Joining the Resistance

Marina was living in Paris when World War II began in 1939. The family she was staying with decided to move to Mexico for safety. But Marina chose to return to Spain, even though she hadn't heard from her parents. She traveled back on a crowded train, sitting on her suitcase.

When she arrived in Madrid, she found her family members who were still in hiding. The situation in Spain made Marina feel very sad. She went to León to stay with other family friends. There, she met a young man connected to the French government.

When the French Embassy in Spain closed, the French secret service moved into the British Embassy. Marina was introduced to them. They were looking for a Spanish woman who was not officially known and could travel freely. Marina, at 17, was perfect for the job and was recruited as a spy.

Her Work as a Spy

Marina's job was very dangerous. She helped people escape and carried important documents and money. She would hide these items by strapping them to her back.

Between 1942 and 1944, Marina made two trips to France every week. She helped many people cross the border. Most of them were French Jews trying to escape from the Nazis, and some were English people.

The network of people helping the resistance included many different types of workers. There were tailors who made clothes for people crossing borders. There were also people who created fake documents.

One day, the Spanish government's secret police discovered Marina's group. She had to quickly escape to France. From 1945 to 1950, Marina continued to work with the Free French Forces in France until World War II ended.

Searching for Nazis

After World War II ended, the search for Nazis began across Europe. Many Nazis and their helpers had fled from France to Spain. The Franco government welcomed them.

Even though Marina was no longer an official soldier, she continued her important work. Her new job was to find these hidden Nazis and their helpers. Her goal was to identify them, help capture them, and send them to France. There, they would face justice in a court of law.

Marina moved back to Spain for good in 1950, and her secret spy work officially ended. However, she continued to fight against the Franco government on her own. She helped distribute secret papers and organize strikes. She was arrested and questioned twice for her actions.

When Marina was interviewed at 84 years old, she still proudly said she believed strongly in freedom and fairness. She was buried in Madrid.

Selected Honors

• Decorated by the European Parliament for defending freedom.
• Medal of Resistance (France)

See also

In Spanish: Marina Vega para niños