Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos was the wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and served as governor of Metro Manila during his regime (1965–1986).
She became notorious for extravagant spending while her country suffered poverty—symbolized by the thousands of shoes found in her closet after the family fled.
Her name evokes ostentatious excess: She's got an Imelda Marcos collection of handbags.
Nonviolent democratic mass movement
- EDSA RevolutionNonviolent Philippine democratic uprising
- exileBanishment from homeland
- HawaiiPacific island state
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
protest · resistance · democracy · ouster · flee · return · corruption charges · acquittal
Unchecked single-ruler government
- martial lawArmed forces governance
- PhilippinesSoutheast Asian archipelago nation
- ManilaPhilippine seat of government
- kleptocracyState-sponsored looting system
despotism · oppression · human rights abuses · censorship · cronyism · nepotism · political dynasty · authoritarian
Head of state's wife
- beauty queenCrowned contest winner
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- charmAttractive personal quality
- ambitionDesire for achievement
influence · power · survivor · matriarch · singing · torch songs · dynasty · political comeback
Accumulated pairs of footwear
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- excessSurplus beyond need
- profligacyReckless, wasteful extravagance
lavishness · shopping sprees · jewelry · art collection · real estate · designer gowns · flamboyance · ostentation
People Power
Nonviolent democratic mass movement
- EDSA RevolutionNonviolent Philippine democratic uprising
- exileBanishment from homeland
- HawaiiPacific island state
uprising · protest · resistance · democracy · ouster · flee · return · corruption charges · acquittal · conviction
dictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
- martial lawArmed forces governance
- PhilippinesSoutheast Asian archipelago nation
- ManilaPhilippine seat of government
kleptocracy · despotism · oppression · human rights abuses · censorship · cronyism · nepotism · political dynasty · authoritarian · plunder
First Lady
Head of state's wife
- beauty queenCrowned contest winner
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- charmAttractive personal quality
ambition · influence · power · survivor · matriarch · singing · torch songs · dynasty · political comeback · congresswoman
shoe collection
Accumulated pairs of footwear
profligacy · lavishness · shopping sprees · jewelry · art collection · real estate · designer gowns · flamboyance · ostentation · grandiosity
Imelda MarcosJimmy Carter
Georgia governor turned president
Nelson Mandela · Angela Merkel · Jacinda Ardern · public servant
Imelda MarcosMother Teresa
Canonized Albanian missionary
Mahatma Gandhi · Francis of Assisi · ascetic · minimalist · frugal
Imelda Marcoshuman rights defender
Advocate for fundamental freedoms