Imelda Marcos Fast Facts

CNN —

Here’s a look at the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. Wife of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for 20 years until he was ousted in 1986.

Personal

Birth date: July 2, 1929

Birth place: Manila, Philippines (some sources say Leyte Province)

Birth name: Imelda Remedios Visitacion Romualdez

Father: Vicente Orestes Romualdez

Mother: Remedios Trinidad

Marriage: Ferdinand Marcos (May 1, 1954-September 28, 1989, his death)

Children: Irene, Ferdinand Jr. “Bongbong” and Imee

Other Facts

Her nickname in the Philippines was the “Iron Butterfly.”

The Marcos family was accused of stealing billions of dollars from the Philippine people during Ferdinand’s presidency.

Famous for her lavish spending while first lady. At the time of her husband’s ouster from office, she left over 1,000 pairs of shoes and more than 800 purses behind when fleeing to Hawaii.

Timeline

1954 — Imelda marries Ferdinand Marcos 11 days after meeting him.

December 30, 1965 - Becomes first lady of the Philippines at her husband’s presidential inauguration.

September 21, 1972 - President Marcos signs a martial law decree, which he publicly declares two days later.

December 7, 1972 — Is stabbed in her arms and hands during an assassination attempt by Carlito Dimahilig.

1975-1986 — Appointed governor of Metropolitan Manila.

1978-1986- Appointed Minister of Human Settlements.

January 17, 1981 — President Marcos lifts martial law.

February 1986 — The Marcos family flees to Hawaii after the Filipino people oust Marcos from office. Three years later, he dies in exile.

1990 -Marcos goes on trial in New York for racketeering. The charges allege she stole from the Philippines National Bank and