Fotos de Carlos Gardel en su casa de la calle Jean Jaurés 735
Photos of Carlos Gardel in his house at 735 Jean Jaurés Street

In 1927, Gardel bought the 1920's house at Jean Jaurés 735 in Abasto in which he lived with his mother until Nov. 7, 1933 when he took a trip to Europe from which he would never return. Anaïs and Fortunato Muñiz continued to live in the house with Gardel's mother until their death in 1939. Gardel's mother found herself terribly alone so Armando Defino, Gardel's lawyer and his family moved in with her. Doña Berta lived at this house until 1943, the year she passed away. Definos continued to occupy the house until 1946 when Armando sold it to one of his tenants in 1949. The house passed to various owners and in the 1960's, it served as a tango bar (tanguería). Most of the walls were demolished to make it into a more spacious place but this put into danger its structural integrity. The house was scheduled for demolition but was bough in 1996 by industrialist Eduardo Eurnekian, who donated it to the city in 2000. The house restoration was completed and opened for viewing on March 6, 2003. It is called Casa Museo Carlos Gardel (House Museum Carlos Gardel) and contains his personal effects and memorabilia. The museum will officially open in June. The visitors will be accompanied by Gardel's music. 

A paragraph of an interview with Carlos Gardel in 1930, signed by journalist Mario Dillon and published in the Sintonía magazine. 
"When I need peace, tranquility, and calmness..., when many parties and much entertainment have tired me, I come to see my dear old mother and at her side recover my strength... And is that in Buenos Aires, ché, the life is hard for someone who knows that the life is short and that a day lost cannot be regained... And aside from all that, no friends, neither loves, nor parties, nor glory, nor triumphs, nor horses, nor anything of the sort, compares to my mother!... Most modest food made with her hands is worth more and is more flavorful than most expensive of plates at the best hotels in the world... The applause of the public is very pleasant... but what is it worth next to the kind words of my mother?"

Edmundo Guibourg, Gardel's very good friend, said this of his house:

Benito Villanueva's strongmen, killers and his bodyguard lived in Gardel's area. He who so loved this Buenos Aires of the suburbs, bought the house on Jean Jaurés for his mother, so she could live in the area both of them loved so much, and so that his mother could comfortably return to the corner where she worked as a laundry woman.

Gardel loved that house as much as he loved his friends, and for that, he bough it five times. When he would be on a tour, he would send money to some friend to buy the house. In return, he would receive a letter from a "reliable friend". "Sorry brother, but I made a bet and lost the money". The story repeated itself four times and every time Gardel would smile and pay. The fifth time Gardel found someone who was truly reliable and the house was purchased. 

Published in La Opinión magazine, Buenos Aires, June 24, 1975.

“En Jean Jaures 735 suena el timbre. Berta sale de la cocina y abre la puerta. Es el cantante Agustín Irusta que entra y sube hasta el cuarto que Gardel usa como estudio. Se escucha una música. "¿Qué estás escuchando Carlitos?", pregunta Irusta. "A estos giles", responde El Zorzal con una sonrisa. De fondo el sonido trae nada menos que a Enrique Caruso y Titta Rufo”.

1933 photos of Gardel at his house
Gardel with "trilby" hat in front of his house. Gardel con sombrero "trilby".	Listening to his recordings. Escuchando sus grabaciones.
Doña Berthe with her best friend, Anaïs Beaux and her husband, Fortunato Muñiz at Jean Juarés 735 after the death of Gardel. Doña Berthe con su mejor amiga, Anaïs Beaux y su esposo, Fortunato Muñiz en la casa 735 Jean Juarés despues de la muerte de Gardel.

Enlaces:

• Casa Museo Carlos Gardel

• Una entrevista con Gardel en su casa de 735 Jean Jaurés. Mundo Argentino, del 11 de setiembre de 1929.

Back to Gardel photos page