15. A Kleptocrat Couple
Imelda Marcos (1929 – ) is a Philippine public figure, and the widow of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled from 1966 to 1986. During her years as First Lady of the Philippines, she held various government posts and wielded great power, such that she became a de facto co-ruler of the country towards the end of the Marcos dictatorship. Known as the “Steel Butterfly” for her combination of fashion sense and steely resolve, Imelda took full advantage of her position to enrich herself with rampant corruption and blatant graft.
The Marcos dictatorship was a kleptocracy, and the ruling couple plundered the country. They were eventually overthrown in a 1986 popular uprising, the People Power Revolution, and were forced to flee the Philippines. By then they had stashed enough wealth in secret Swiss bank accounts, and accumulated various properties overseas, to afford an extremely comfortable retirement in Hawaii. However, they were unable to take all their ill-gotten gains and goodies with them. When the revolutionaries entered the Marcos palaces, they found evidence of an extravagant and opulent lifestyle, most starkly represented by Imelda’s expensive designer shoe habit.
