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 problems with First Ladies is that you have to set the standard. My role is to be both star and slave.
I am First Lady by accident. I was not elected by the people but here I am.
I will not say sorry and be pardoned for doing a godly act.
You know, not even your British Queen is called just Elizabeth - she's Elizabeth the Second. There's only one Imelda.
The problem of the world today is the people talk on and on about democracy, freedom, justice. But I don't give a damn about democracy if I am worried about survival.
My grandchildren are growing up and they could not understand why the Marcoses are still being crucified although we keep on telling them that we did not steal from the Filipino people.
Perception is real, truth is not. I'm not fighting for money and possessions. I'm fighting for something more precious. I pray that as we enter the cyber age -- the Age of Transparency -- the facts and the truth will out.
The Philippines is a terrible name, coming from Spain. Phillip II was the father of the inquisition, who I believe died of syphilis. It is my great regret that we didn't change the name of our country.
I will come up with a project that will wipe out poverty in the Philippines in two years. I want to remove the people from economic crisis by using the Marcos wealth. Long after I'm gone, people will remember me for building them homes and roads and hospitals and giving them food.
The Philippines is in a strategic position. It is both East and West, right and left, rich and poor. We are neither here nor there.
Life is not a matter of place, things or comfort; rather, it concerns the basic human rights of family, country, justice and human dignity.
I love everybody. One of the great things about me is that I have a very positive attitude.
They call me corrupt, frivolous. I am not at all privileged. Maybe the only privileged thing is my face. And corrupt? God! I would not look like this if I am corrupt. Some ugliness would settle down on my system.
If you know how much you've got, you probably haven't got much.