in 1822, sáenz left her husband and traveled to quito, where she met simón bolívar. she exchanged love letters with him, and visited him while he moved from one country to another. manuela supported the revolutionary cause by gathering information, distributing leaflets, and protesting for women's rights. as one of the most prominent female figures of the wars for independence, manuela received the order of the sun (""caballeresa del sol"" or 'dame of the sun'), honoring her services in the revolution. during the first months of 1825 and from february to september 1826, she lived with bolívar near lima, but as the war continued, bolívar was forced to leave. manuela later followed him to bogotá. on september 25, 1828, mutinous officers attempted to assassinate bolívar, but with manuela's help he was able to escape, which made him later call her ""libertadora del libertador"".