Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos
Imelda Romuáldez Marcosis the widow of the Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th president. She served as First Lady from 1965 to 1986 during the dictatorship of her husband. She remains one of the richest politicians in the Philippines through her collection of clothing, artwork, and jewelry, along with money in offshore bank accounts under the pseudonym "Jane Ryan". As a result, she has been called a kleptocrat by her critics who accuse her of plunder...
ProfessionPolitical Wife
Date of Birth2 July 1929
CityManila, Philippines
The Philippines is where Asia wears a smile. Beautiful products can only be made by happy people.
President Marcos was investing in precious metals long before he entered politics.
Funny, I never shopped. Even my jewelry not a piece of my jewelry I bought for me.
I have a different way of thinking. I think synergistically. I'm not linear in thinking, I'm not very logical.
I have no weakness for shoes. I wear very simple shoes which are pump shoes. It is not one of my weaknesses.
I am my little people's star and slave. When I go out into the barrios, I get dressed because I know my little people want to see a star. Other presidents' wives have gone to the barrios wearing house dresses and slippers. That's not what people want to see. People want someone they can love, someone to set an example.
They've listed my name in the dictionary - 'Imeldific' is used to mean ostentatious extravagance... But the truth will prevail.
What's wrong with shoes? I collected them because it was like a symbol of thanksgiving and love?
I would have to ask the public to choose between a culture of hate or a culture of love. I am sure our poor will pick the latter. With the Marcos assets, we could regain this value of sharing love with one another.
Ferdinand was a gold trader. He was a lawyer for mining companies. When he entered politics in l949, he had tons and tons of gold. When Bill Gates was a college dropout, Ferdinand already possessed billions of dollars and tons of gold. It wasn't stolen.
I'm like Robin Hood. I rob the rich to make these projects come alive... not really rob. It's done with a smile.
My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little did I know that I would live in Malacanang Palace for 20 years and visit all the major palaces of mankind. And then also meet ordinary citizens and the leaders of superpowers.
It's the rich you can terrorize. The poor have nothing to lose.
The Reagans were dear friends for many years, even when he was governor of California. Nancy appreciated a lot of Philippine-made things.