José Ruiz
She had a romantic relationship with Agustín de Iturbide, the future emperor of Mexico, over whom she exercised great political influence. Her relationships allowed her to have access to confidential documents of the era, like the letter sent from Ferdinand VII to viceroy Juan José Ruiz de Apodaca y Eliza in 1820, containing the principles of the future Plan of Iguala, proposing the rise of a popular military leader to negotiate with the rebels. María Ignacia suggested that Iturbide could be that man.