La Malinche was a Nahua lady from an indigenous area of Mexico who gained notoriety for her part in the Spanish establishment’s conquest of the Aztec Empire. She was raised in the Nahuatl-speaking regions on the boundary between the Aztec and Mayan empires, having been born in the Aztec-ruled Mexican Valley. Shortly after her birth, her father passed away. In the early 16th century, Malinche became a slave to the Mayan slave dealers after her mother remarried. Malinche was one of 20 Mayan slaves offered to Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés during the conflict between the Mayans and the Spanish. Malinche’s multilingual abilities astonished him, and he retained her as his main counselor, mediator, and interpreter. Martin, Hernán’s son, who is regarded as one of the earliest Mestizos (people of European and Indigenous American heritage), was born to her later. One of the main reasons for the Spanish triumph in the Mexican territories is thought to have been Malinche’s involvement in the Spanish invasion of the Aztec Empire. When Hernán Cortés’ Spanish wife learned of her husband’s affair with Malinche, she arranged for Malinche to wed a knight named Juan Jaramillo. After this, she is not mentioned in history.
Early Life & Childhood
Sometime in the late 15th or early 16th centuries, La Malinche was born in Malinalli. She is believed to have been born in the Valley of Mexico, close to the boundaries of the Aztec and Mayan Empires, though the precise location and year of her birth are still unclear. Her father was a Paynala tribe leader. Her mother came from the nearby town of Xaltipan.
Malinche’s mother married another leader shortly after her birth, and her father died shortly after. Malinche stayed with her for a while, but only until her second marriage produced another son. Her mother did not want Malinche to steal what was rightfully her son’s since she had a soft spot for her newborn son. In silence, she handed Malinche over to the Xicalango, who then handed her over to the Tabascans.
At the moment, Malinche was twenty years old. She was both gorgeous and intelligent. She quickly picked up the Mayan languages used by the Yucatán people, and she was fluent in her own Nahuatl language. Because of her exceptional intelligence and attractiveness, she was treated better than the other slave females despite being a slave.
The Conquest of Mexico
In April 1519, Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés fought the Chontal Maya after scouting the enormous territories of Mexico and North America. As a sign of respect, the Chontal Maya inhabitants of Potonchán offered Hernán 20 young women when he won. One such woman was Malinche. Alonso Hernandez Puertocarrero intended to receive her as a gift, but Hernán kept her at his side instead.
Malinche was unhappy with the whole situation, but there was nothing she could do to change it. Before that, Hernán had a Spanish priest named Jeronimo who acted as an interpreter for him when he spoke with local Mexicans and the Mayans. But Hernán quickly learned that Malinche, one of the ladies he was offered, was extremely proficient in knowing the languages and dialects of practically every part of Mexico.
Malinche didn’t speak Spanish, though. She just translated the Aztec language into the Mayan vernacular in the early years, which Jeronimo knew completely. Hernán would then hear the word from Jeronimo in Spanish. This went on for some time, and gradually, out of all the slaves that Hernán received, Malinche emerged as one of his favorites.
Malinche was the only slave whose name was truly remembered because of her intelligence and beauty. She also became a Christian and was baptized. Hernán gave her the name “Marina.”
In his court, she also merited a unique position. She accompanied Hernán to all of his meetings and other significant occasions. He was nearly invariably depicted with Malinche at his side by the many painters of that era who represented him.
She also contributed significantly to Hernán’s triumphs back home. According to the chronicles that have survived, she was aware of the Cholulas’ intentions to join forces with the Aztecs to attack the little Spanish army. By telling Hernán, she saved the Spanish army from a terrible massacre. However, the locals developed a deep animosity toward Malinche as a result. After this, there were several proposed assassination plans, but none of them were carried out.
Around the beginning of the 1520s, Hernán also fell in love with Malinche. Martin Cortés, Malinche’s son, was born in 1522. She lived in peace and raised her kid in the house Hernán built for her.
Nonetheless, Hernán frequently brought Malinche to the fights since she was fully aware of her tactical prowess. In 1524, he brought Malinche along to act as a translator when he went to Honduras to put down a rebellion.
She primarily served as an interpreter, but several versions claim that her involvement was much more extensive. She was known to make certain decisions on her own and was frequently spotted with Hernán at significant meetings.
She was “the real conqueror of Mexico,” according to historians who have meticulously examined first-person narratives from troops and historians of the time throughout the years. Her negotiating skills are also mentioned in several reports. She changed the Indians’ perspective and persuaded them to submit to the Spanish.
Historians, however, think that without Malinche, the Spanish would not have been able to conquer the Mexican territories, or at least it would have been very difficult. The numerous dialects spoken throughout the large North American continent may have significantly impacted communication. In addition to her skill at strategy and deception, Malinche was a formidable opponent.
Bringing the indigenous Tlaxcalan tribe to engage in negotiations with the Spanish was one of her greatest achievements. There were frequent armed conflicts between the two forces. Meetings were set up, and Malinche used her brains, her linguistic abilities, and her heritage to the fullest. So she saved a great deal of bloodshed.
Individual Life of La Malinche
Throughout her life, La Malinche had numerous name changes. After being adopted by the Spanish, she was renamed “Doña Marina” from her birth name, “Malinalli.” Later, once she grew close to Hernán, she was referred to as “La Malinche.” In Spanish, her name signified “the Captain’s Lady.”
Malinche was regarded as a good woman as well. Malinche forgave Hernán when she confronted her mother, who had abandoned her.
She and Hernán had a son in 1522, whom she called “Martin.” Later on, Martin was appointed as a “Comendador of the Order of St. Jago.” One of the first Mestizos—people with a combination of Native American and European ancestry—was Martin.
Malinche and Hernán had developed a deep personal relationship. Malinche’s marriage to Juan Jaramillo, another Spanish conquistador, was arranged by Hernán’s first wife, who was then in Spain. She soon gave birth to Doña María, Jaramillo’s daughter. There are no historical records of her life after this. However, according to certain historians, she passed away in 1551.
Legacy In Mexican history, Malinche is a very contentious character. Many Mexicans admire her, while many despise her for betraying her people. One of the most despised invaders of Mexican territory was Hernán Cortés. Hernán did not earn the same acclaim in Mexico as many other invaders who had sculptures erected in their honor.
In Mexico, La Malinche has been the focus of numerous novels, books, and motion pictures.
The net worth of La Malinche
The estimated net worth of La Malinche is about $1o million.