anita and giuseppe garibaldi (1839 - 1849) giuseppe garibaldi was a leader in the stuggle for italian unfication and independence. When Garibaldi was exiled from italy,he fled to south america,where he lived for 12 years and fought in another struggle for independence this time for the independence for uruguay and argentina. while in brazil, garibaldi fell passionately in love with anita ribeiro,a young woman from laguna,a small town in southern brazil. after their marriage,the two were inseparable. anita was even known to fight battles alongside garibaldi. however,on august 4,1849,anita,pregnant and sick, died in garibaldi's arms. garibaldi never did get over his grief at anita's death. over a decade later,when he went to meet the first king of a unified italy,he wore one of her scarves.