Imelda Romualdez Marcos[2] (born Imelda Trinidad Romualdez; July 2, 1929) is

a Filipino politician who was First Lady of the Philippines for 21 years,[3] during which she and her
husband are widely believed to have illegally amassed a multi-billion U.S. dollar personal
fortune,[4][5][6][7] the bulk of which still remains unrecovered.[8] Her fortune was estimated to be at $24bn
in 1979, and today is estimated to be at least $30bn.
She married Ferdinand Marcos in 1954 and became First Lady in 1965 when he became President
of the Philippines.[9] Her behaviour of initiating numerous grand architectural projects using public
funds,[10][11] came to be described in common parlance as Imeldific.[12][13]
She and her family gained notoriety for living a lavish lifestyle during a period of economic crisis and
civil unrest in the country.[14] She spent much of her time abroad on state visits, extravagant parties,
and shopping sprees, and spent much of the State's money on her personal jewelry and shoe
collections.[15] Her collection of over 3,000 pairs of luxury shoes[16] earned her the sobriquet "Marie
Antoinette, with shoes."
The People Power Revolution in February 1986 unseated the Marcoses and forced the family into
exile.[17] In 1991, President Corazon Aquino allowed the Marcos family to return to the Philippines
after the 1989 death of Ferdinand Marcos.[18][19][20] Imelda Marcos was elected four times to the House
of Representatives.[21]
She, along with her husband Ferdinand, are famous for holding the Guinness World Record for
the Greatest Robbery of a Government.[22][23] In November 2018, she was convicted of corruption
charges for her activities some forty years earlier, during her term as governor of Manila.[24][25]

Contents

 1Early life
o 1.1Birth and family background
o 1.2Early childhood
o 1.3Education
 1.3.1Elementary
 1.3.2High school
 1.3.3College
 2Early career
o 2.1Life in Manila with Daniel Romualdez
o 2.2Work at the Central Bank Intelligence Division and lessons at the Philippine Women's University
 3Courtship and marriage to Ferdinand Marcos
 4The path to Malacañang
o 4.1The 1965 presidential campaign
o 4.2The 1965 Inauguration
 5The first Marcos term (1965–1969)
o 5.1The Blue Ladies
o 5.2Social events and beautification projects
 5.2.1Beatles incident
 5.2.2Beautification projects
o 5.3Edifice Complex
 5.3.1Cultural Center of the Philippines
 5.3.2San Juanico Bridge
o 5.4Social welfare projects
o 5.5Increased Independence
 6The second Marcos term (1969–1972)
o 6.1Foreign relations roles
o 6.2Accusation of bribery in Constitutional Convention
o 6.3Imelda's actions preceding martial law
 7Martial law (1972–1981)
o 7.1Governor of Metro Manila
o 7.2Minister of Human Settlements
o 7.3Batasan Pambansa Assemblyman
o 7.4Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
o 7.5Dealing with Benigno Aquino
 8Downfall of Marcos
 9Exile in Hawaii (1986-1991)
 10Return from exile (1991-Present)
o 10.1Political comeback
o 10.2As businesswoman
 11Major court cases
o 11.11988 racketeering case (Manhattan)
o 11.2Corruption cases in the Philippines
 11.2.12018 Swiss foundation cases convictions
 12Ill-gotten wealth
 13Cultural influence and portrayals in media
o 13.1The word "Imeldific"
o 13.2World records for theft
o 13.3Influence on Philippine fashion
o 13.4Promotion of Brutalist architecture
o 13.5In Cinema
 13.5.1Imelda (2003 film)
 13.5.2The Kingmaker (2019)
o 13.6In music and performance arts
 14Honors and awards
o 14.1Foreign honors
 15References
 16Bibliography
 17External links

Early life[edit]
Birth and family background