Imelda Marcos

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.

If you know how much you've got, you probably haven't got much.

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.

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

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

I have a different way of thinking. I think synergistically. I'm not linear in thinking, I'm not very logical.

It's the rich you can terrorize. The poor have nothing to lose.

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

We practically own everything in the Philippines.

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

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

My husband does not like me to give interviews because I say too much. No talk, no trouble.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Win or lose, we go shopping after the election.

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