Imelda Marcos Quotes

Powerful Imelda Marcos for Daily Growth

About Imelda Marcos

Imelda Marcos, born Rosalia Marcos on July 2, 1929, in Batangas City, Philippines, was a controversial figure as a politician, businesswoman, and socialite. She is best known for her marriage to the late Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who ruled the country from 1965 until his overthrow in 1986. Imelda Marcos' early life was marked by education in the Philippines and America. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in Washington D.C., majoring in Political Science and Journalism. Upon her return to the Philippines, she met Ferdinand Marcos, who was then a young congressman. They married in 1954, launching a political partnership that would span over three decades. Imelda's influence in Philippine politics began in earnest when her husband became president. She held various roles including First Lady, Minister of Human Settlements, Governor of Metro Manila, and Ilocos Norte Representative. However, her tenure was marred by accusations of corruption, extravagance, and human rights violations during the Martial Law era (1972-1981). Imelda's most notable contribution to Philippine politics is arguably her establishment of the Metro Manila Commission, which aimed to manage and develop the metropolitan region. Despite controversies, she also made significant strides in women's issues, founding the Filipino Women's Association and advocating for gender equality. Post-Martial Law, Imelda was convicted on numerous charges of graft and corruption but was pardoned by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1992. She has since lived in self-imposed exile in Hawaii until her return to the Philippines in 2016. To this day, Imelda Marcos remains a polarizing figure in Philippine politics and society. Quotes often attributed to Imelda include: "I am a woman of the future," and "We have the land, the brains, the manpower." These statements encapsulate her self-assured, ambitious persona that was instrumental in shaping her political career.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We have a heritage to maintain and a destiny to realize."

The quote by Imelda Marcos emphasizes the importance of preserving one's cultural, historical, and societal legacy (heritage) while also looking forward and striving towards achieving significant future goals (destiny). It suggests a balance between respecting tradition and pushing for progress, indicating that both are crucial aspects in shaping one's identity and trajectory.


"Give me a comfortable shoe any time, but give me a pair of Jimmy Choos on occasion."

This quote suggests a balance between practicality and luxury in life. Imelda Marcos is expressing her preference for comfort in everyday life ("a comfortable shoe"), yet appreciating the elegance and allure that comes with special occasions ("a pair of Jimmy Choos"). It can be seen as a metaphor for enjoying simple, functional aspects of life while indulging in the finer things every now and then.


"I'm no Cinderella. I was more like Snow White because I was in the forest for a long time."

This quote by Imelda Marcos suggests that she feels misunderstood, as if people see her as a passive character like Cinderella who waits for Prince Charming to rescue her. Instead, she compares herself to Snow White, a character who overcomes adversity by enduring challenges in the forest - implying that she has faced significant hardships and survived them. The "long time" in the forest could refer to her challenging experiences during her political career and the public scrutiny she faced. Overall, this quote suggests resilience and a sense of self-perception that goes beyond the stereotypes associated with fairy tale heroines.


"In the 20th century, we Filipinos were able to win our independence twice: first from the Spaniards and then from the Americans."

This quote by Imelda Marcos signifies that the Filipino people won their sovereignty not once but twice in the 20th century, both times over foreign powers. The first victory was gained when they overthrew Spanish rule, culminating in the Philippines' proclamation of independence on June 12, 1898. However, it wasn't until after World War II, when the United States granted the Philippines its independence under the terms of the Treaty of Manila, that their second win took place. This underscores the resilience and determination of the Filipino people in fighting for self-rule amidst foreign domination during the 20th century.


"I am a woman who has been tested by fire."

This quote suggests that Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines, has faced significant adversity or challenges in her life, symbolized by being "tested by fire." The phrase implies resilience, strength, and survival through hardships, as one emerges from a fire-like trial stronger or wiser. It may refer to political turmoil, personal struggles, or both during her tenure as First Lady when the Marcos regime was accused of corruption and human rights abuses.


It is shallow people who think beauty is frivolous or excessive. If you are bringing beauty and god, you are enriching the country. Rice feeds the body, books feed the mind, beauty feeds the soul. It is one thing I can really be proud of and stand tall in the world.

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Soul, Country, Enriching

Win or lose, we go shopping after the election.

- Imelda Marcos

Election, Lose, Go, Win Or Lose

The Marcos era was the golden time for the Philippines. We had the lowest crime rate in the world in Manila and real development then. At last, people are starting to understand this.

- Imelda Marcos

Development, Last, Crime Rate

My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little did I know that I would live in Malacanang Palace for 20 years and visit all the major palaces of mankind. And then also meet ordinary citizens and the leaders of superpowers.

- Imelda Marcos

Small, Needed, Superpowers, Picket

They've listed my name in the dictionary - 'Imeldific' is used to mean ostentatious extravagance... But the truth will prevail.

- Imelda Marcos

Will, Used, Ostentatious, Extravagance

My dreams have become puny with the reality my life has become.

- Imelda Marcos

Dreams, Reality, My Life, Puny

They call me corrupt, frivolous. I am not at all privileged. Maybe the only privileged thing is my face. And corrupt? God! I would not look like this if I am corrupt. Some ugliness would settle down on my system.

- Imelda Marcos

Settle, Some, Maybe, Frivolous

Life is not a matter of place, things or comfort; rather, it concerns the basic human rights of family, country, justice and human dignity.

- Imelda Marcos

Country, Human Dignity, Concerns

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

- Imelda Marcos

Born, Nobility, Marie, None

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

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Star, Will, Slums

I really had no great love for shoes. I was a working First Lady; I was always in canvas shoes. I did nurture the shoes industry of the Philippines, and so every time there was a shoe fair, I would receive a pair of shoes as a token of gratitude.

- Imelda Marcos

Love, Industry, Had, Nurture

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.

- Imelda Marcos

Politics, College, Ferdinand, Stolen

I hardly can sleep. I feel that my target now is really to save Mother Earth for humanity. And it's doable.

- Imelda Marcos

Feel, Save, I Feel, Hardly

Never dress down for the poor. They won't respect you for it. They want their First Lady to look like a million dollars.

- Imelda Marcos

Respect, Dress, Like, Million Dollars

I get so tired listening to one million dollars here, one million dollars there, it's so petty.

- Imelda Marcos

Listening, Here, Million, Million Dollars

I will come up with a project that will wipe out poverty in the Philippines in two years. I want to remove the people from economic crisis by using the Marcos wealth. Long after I'm gone, people will remember me for building them homes and roads and hospitals and giving them food.

- Imelda Marcos

Project, Giving, Hospitals, Economic

The only rich person is a person who is rich in spirit. I have no money deposit. I have only beauty deposit.

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Money, Person, Rich Person

Filipinos don't wallow in what is miserable and ugly. They recycle the bad into things of beauty.

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Miserable, Bad, Recycle

I always say you can never be extravagant with beauty. Beauty is God made real. Beauty is life.

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Never, Always, Extravagant

People say I'm extravagant because I want to be surrounded by beauty. But tell me, who wants to be surrounded by garbage?

- Imelda Marcos

Beauty, Want, Surrounded, Extravagant

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.

- Imelda Marcos

Regret, Country, Spain, Philippines

We practically own everything in the Philippines.

- Imelda Marcos

Own, Everything, Practically, Philippines

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.

- Imelda Marcos

Survival, Give, About, Worried

I beg Osama to stop warring. He is a Muslim, and Islam means peace. Nobody wins in a war... I wish I were tapped in the problem about Iraq. I knew Saddam enough that I could have talked him into surrendering. But it's too late.

- Imelda Marcos

Too Late, Muslim, Beg, Surrendering

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.

- Imelda Marcos

Bible, Specific, Persecution, Continuous

Doesn't the fight for survival also justify swindle and theft? In self defence, anything goes.

- Imelda Marcos

Survival, Goes, Defence, Justify

I hate ugliness. You know I'm allergic to ugliness.

- Imelda Marcos

Hate, Know, Ugliness, Allergic

The Reagans were dear friends for many years, even when he was governor of California. Nancy appreciated a lot of Philippine-made things.

- Imelda Marcos

Friends, Years, Many, Nancy

The problems with First Ladies is that you have to set the standard. My role is to be both star and slave.

- Imelda Marcos

Slave, Standard, Set, Ladies

I am First Lady by accident. I was not elected by the people but here I am.

- Imelda Marcos

I Am, Here, Elected, Accident

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