The Escaladas were prominent in local commerce, and became supporters of the May Revolution of 1810, hosting numerous clandestine meetings before and after the events that led to the dissolution of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata (a part of the Spanish Empire).

This burden was compounded by her developing tuberculosis in early 1819, and on March 24, her worsening state compelled her to return to Buenos Aires, where she expected to die.

Following his tenure from 1821 to 1822 as Head of State of the Protectorate of Peru, General San Martín returned to Mendoza and, in January 1823, planned to journey to Buenos Aires, where his wife lay bedridden.

Receiving San Martín's petition for safe conduct in his journey to visit his dying wife, Minister of Government Bernardino Rivadavia refused.

María Remedios de Escalada was buried at the La Recoleta Cemetery, and San Martín departed for Le Havre, France, the following February; he died in exile in 1850.