Imelda Marcos

Ferdinand was a gold trader. He was a lawyer for mining companies. When he entered politics in l949, he had tons and tons of gold. When Bill Gates was a college dropout, Ferdinand already possessed billions of dollars and tons of gold. It wasn't stolen.

I was no Marie Antoinette. I was not born to nobility, but I had a human right to nobility.

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.

Continuous persecution of widows and orphans is a crime. Even the Bible says there is a specific place in hell for those who oppress widows.

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.

I have a spiritual need for beauty.

They were not just shoes. Each pair was a masterpiece.

I was the mother of the Philippines. I had to look the part.

Perfume is my weapon.

I am not a thief. I am a collector.

The Filipinos want beauty. I have to look beautiful so that the poor Filipinos will have a star to look at from their slums.

I was born ostentatious. They will list my name in the dictionary someday. They will use 'Imeldific' to mean ostentatious extravagance.

I am the light. I am the star.

I have a divine right to be rich.

I am not materialistic. I am just a victim of beauty.

I was not born to be a housewife. I am a beauty queen, I am a politician, I am a First Lady, and I am a mother. I am all of these, and I have to be all of these.

They say I am extravagant. But I am not extravagant. I just have expensive tastes.

I had to be fashionable. I had to be beautiful. I had to be Imelda.

I always say, one of the greatest mistakes of my life is that I didn't get married to a king. Because then I could have been a queen and I could have done so much more for my country.

My role was to be a star. To project beauty and grace. And I did that very well.