Imelda Marcos

Date of Birth: July 2, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Biography

Imelda Romualdez Marcos is a Filipino politician and former First Lady of the Philippines. Born on July 2, 1929, in Manila, she is best known for her extravagant lifestyle and her significant influence during her husband Ferdinand Marcos’s presidency from 1965 to 1986. Imelda came from a prominent family in Leyte and initially pursued a career in beauty pageants and music before entering the political sphere. She married Ferdinand Marcos in 1954, and her role as First Lady was marked by her extensive travels and lavish spending, which earned her the nickname “Iron Butterfly.” Imelda played a significant role in her husband’s administration, holding various government positions, including Governor of Metro Manila and Minister of Human Settlements. Her tenure was controversial due to allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. After the People Power Revolution in 1986, the Marcos family fled to Hawaii. Imelda returned to the Philippines in 1991 and re-entered politics, serving as a congresswoman for Ilocos Norte. Despite the controversies surrounding her, she remains a prominent figure in Filipino politics and society.

5 Interesting Facts about Imelda Marcos

1. Imelda Marcos is famous for her extensive shoe collection, which reportedly included over 3,000 pairs.

2. She was crowned “Rose of Tacloban” and “Miss Leyte” before gaining national attention.

3. Imelda Marcos was instrumental in the construction of several cultural landmarks in the Philippines, including the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Manila Film Center.

4. Despite numerous allegations of corruption, she was acquitted of multiple charges in various courts.

5. Imelda has been the subject of numerous documentaries and books, highlighting her complex and often controversial life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Imelda Marcos

1. “I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.”

2. “The Philippines is worth dying for.”

3. “My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed – my dearest pleasure when free.”

4. “They went into my closets looking for skeletons, but thank God, all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes.”

5. “I have never been a material girl. My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At her peak, Imelda Marcos and her husband Ferdinand Marcos were reported to have accumulated a wealth of up to $10 billion through alleged embezzlement and corruption.

Children

Imelda Marcos has three children: 1. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. – A politician who has served as a senator and is a prominent figure in Philippine politics. 2. Imee Marcos – A politician who has served as governor of Ilocos Norte and later as a senator. 3. Irene Marcos-Araneta – The least politically active of the Marcos children, she has maintained a lower profile compared to her siblings.