Throughout her husband Ferdinand’s decades-long reign as President of the Philippines, former First Lady Imelda Marcos became notorious for her callous spending and jet-setting lifestyle, all while the country plummeted into debt and poverty.
Marcos’ life is the subject of David Byrne’s musical “Here Lies Love,” which recently made its Broadway debut. The “Talking Heads” frontman penned the show’s music and lyrics, collaborating with Fatboy Slim on its disco-pop score.
In 2015, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) seized jewelry from former first lady Imelda Marcos that was held at the Central Bank headquarters in Manila. In 2016, Philippine authorities held an online exhibition of jewelry owned by her husband, the late president Ferdinand Marcos (who held office from 1965 to 1986), and his family to try to educate a new generation about the corruption of that era.
Here, see the massive collection of jewelry estimated at $20 million that was once owned by Marcos.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Jewelry boxes belonging to Imelda Marcos in Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, in 1998. Her complete jewelry collection is worth approximately $20 million.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A set of diamond jewelry from a collection belonging to lady Imelda Marcos in 2005.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond and pearl tiara owned by Imelda Marcos in 2005.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond and gemstone necklace owned by Imelda Marcos in 2005.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A ruby pendant surrounded with diamonds, priced at $290,000, owned by Imelda Marcos in 2005.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond necklace belonging to Imelda Marcos in 2015.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond tiara belonging to Imelda Marcos in 2015.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A 25-carat pink diamond belonging to Imelda Marcos in 2015.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond and sapphire necklace belonging to Imelda Marcos in 2015.
-
Imelda Marcos’ Massive Collection of Shoes and Jewelry Worth Millions
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images A diamond pendant belonging to Imelda Marcos in 2015.