Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 1 | 180

Summary

Scamfluencers — Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 1 | Episode Summary

Podcast: Scamfluencers
Hosts: Scaachi Koul & Sarah Hagi
Episode Title: Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 1 | 180
Release Date: September 29, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Scamfluencers launches into the audacious life and legacy of Imelda Marcos, the Philippines’ infamous First Lady. Hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi trace Imelda’s rise from relative obscurity to global notoriety, interrogating how her beauty, extravagance, and manipulation intertwined with the rise of her husband Ferdnand Marcos’ brutal dictatorship. The episode explores breathtaking displays of wealth, Imelda's mythmaking, state-backed corruption, and the slow corruption and unraveling of democracy in the Philippines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marriage as Power and Transaction

• The episode opens with a humorous reflection on marriage as a business arrangement, setting the tone for understanding Imelda’s calculated alliance with Ferdinand Marcos.
• Quote:
  “Is it worth it to be married to a dud if he can get you literally anything you want?”
  — Scaachi Koul [00:17]

2. Imelda’s Entrance & Early Excess (Kaluit Island Safari)

• The hosts vividly describe the 1977 scene where Imelda lands at Kaluit Island to open a personal safari park, showcasing both her taste for grandeur and how the Marcoses treated the Philippines as personal property.
• Hosts recount the brutal backdrop: over 250 Indigenous families were forcibly removed for her fantasy.
• Quote:
  “Kaluit is just one example of how Imelda and Ferdinand have been treating the Philippines as their own personal playground.”
  — Scaachi Koul [03:30]

3. Origins: Imelda’s Childhood, Beauty, and Early Ambition

• Imelda’s fall from elite Manila roots to impoverished exile is described, highlighting her lifelong obsession with status and approval.
• She leverages beauty pageants and charm as tools for social ascent, protesting losses and cultivating the narrative of adversity (a story later challenged by historians).
• Quote:
  “She’s making the most of what she’s got.”
  — Scaachi Koul [08:19]

4. Meeting Ferdinand: Whirlwind Courtship and Calculated Union

• Their rapid meeting, Ferdinand’s intense courtship, and Imelda’s ultimate acceptance is portrayed as equal parts romance, ambition, and inherited expectation of power.
• Rare archival clips recall Imelda’s reflections:
  “I have never seen anybody was more in love with me than this guy. He could not take his eyes off me. And he could not eat, he could not drink.”
  — Imelda Marcos [09:07]

5. Glamorous Facade & Ruthless Ambition

• Imelda’s public role as dazzling first lady camouflaged a regime of corruption and violence. Her migraines and nervous breakdown in early political life marked a turning point; she emerged stronger, recognizing her influence over Ferdinand.
• Imelda embraced ‘autosuggestion’ to convince herself of her luck and power, returning from New York therapy newly determined to be a power player, not just an ornament.
• Quote:
  “If this man would give up his ultimate ambition...why can’t I give up something? It was a real turning point.”
  — Imelda Marcos [12:05]

6. Rise of Ferdinand: Political Machinations & Early Corruption

• Ferdinand’s background as a cunning operator, rumored murderer, and legal self-defender is detailed. Early in his presidency, he begins channeling public funds and negotiating shady deals (notably with GTE).
• The “Kaluit Safari” and GTE/Swiss banking accounts are early signs of asset looting.

7. The Power of Image: Imelda as First Lady

• The international press—comparing her to Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace—feeds Imelda’s cult of celebrity.
• Imelda’s philosophy:
  “As First Lady I have to flaunt love and beauty so that the 50 million Filipinos will see what is to love and what is perfection.”
  — Imelda Marcos [19:01]
• Scaachi and Sarah critique the emptiness of “beauty as patriotism” amid actual deprivation.

8. Escalation: Opposition Rises, Martial Law Looms

• Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. emerges as a fearless opposition figure, criticizing the Marcos’s extravagance (e.g., Imelda’s Cultural Center of the Philippines, denounced as a “monument to shame”).
• The regime faces growing unrest, economic decline, and hostile media.

9. Scandal & Shift of Power: The Dovie Beams Affair

• Ferdinand’s public affair with American actress Dovie Beams becomes national scandal, threatening Imelda’s carefully curated image.
• Imelda leverages the scandal to seize real political power—a precursor to the “conjugal dictatorship,” in which the First Lady becomes an equal partner in authoritarian rule.

10. Martial Law — Birth of Dictatorship

• Amid protests, economic woes, and violence (notably the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing), Ferdinand secures Nixon’s tacit approval and, in September 1972, declares martial law, jailing opposition leaders, controlling media, and guaranteeing his own rule.
• Quote:
  “It’s really scary how a president could just turn into a dictator. Like, there’s really nothing stopping him.”
  — Sarah Hagi [38:00]

11. Surviving an Assassination Attempt – Imelda’s New Narrative

• Imelda’s dramatic survival after being attacked with a bolo knife at a public event is spun as justification for martial law, with whispers of a false flag operation. Imelda’s own reaction is chillingly flippant:
  “Why is it to be a bolo? That is so ugly. I wish they put some kind of yellow ribbon or some kind of nice thing. Why such an ugly instrument?”
  — Imelda Marcos [43:51]

12. Unchecked Wealth & Rampant Corruption

• Imelda embarks on lavish international shopping tours, while Ferdinand plunders the state: gold smuggling, industry monopolies, siphoning foreign aid.
• Both hosts express visceral horror at the scale:
  “Within the year, Imelda’s personal wealth is estimated at $250 million. Within two years, that number climbs to $350 million. And it doesn’t stop there.”
  — Scaachi Koul [46:45]
• The regime launders money through fake names, shell companies, and Swiss accounts, with all evidence of personal and public wealth entwined.

13. The Mask Slips: Public Backlash & Imelda’s Ultimate Scam

• The episode closes by revealing how Imelda’s obsession with pageantry (hosting Miss Universe in Manila) distracted the world from the regime’s escalating crimes—even as Filipinos begin to see through the façade and the seeds of rebellion form.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Kaluit is just one example of how Imelda and Ferdinand have been treating the Philippines as their own personal playground.” — Scaachi Koul [03:30]
• “I have never seen anybody was more in love with me than this guy…” — Imelda Marcos [09:07]
• “If this man would give up his ultimate ambition…why can’t I give up something? It was a real turning point.” — Imelda Marcos [12:05]
• “As First Lady, I have to flaunt love and beauty so that the 50 million Filipinos will see what is to love and what is perfection.” — Imelda Marcos [19:01]
• “I really think this guy [Ninoy] sounds like a threat. …Ninoy is in dangerous territory here.” — Sarah Hagi [27:25]
• “[Imelda’s Cultural Center is] a monument to shame. … She’s destroying it by not helping actual Filipinos.” — Scaachi Koul (paraphrasing Ninoy) [28:38]
• “He has a whole team of people behind him. So in my mind, there’s definitely some people turning a blind eye towards a lot of this.” — Sarah Hagi [25:07]
• “Why is it to be a bolo? That is so ugly. I wish they put some kind of yellow ribbon or some kind of nice thing.” — Imelda Marcos [43:51]
• “Within the year, Imelda’s personal wealth is estimated at $250 million… a decade later, $1.6 billion, all while the average Filipino makes less than 200 bucks a year.” — Scaachi Koul [46:45]

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Detailed Timeline with Timestamps

• 00:18–01:10 — Hosts riff on marriage, transactional relationships, and transition to Imelda's story.
• 01:18–03:51 — Introduction to Imelda Marcos on Kaluit Island; power and spectacle at the cost of Indigenous lives.
• 04:39–06:29 — Imelda’s childhood, family decline, and her myth-making about her hardships.
• 07:00–09:58 — Imelda leverages pageants and beauty to elevate her status; thanks to her cousin, she meets Ferdinand Marcos.
• 10:08–12:05 — Wedding with Ferdinand; early years as a political wife and onset of migraines.
• 12:05–13:18 — Imelda’s realization of power and the psychological transformation after hospitalization in New York.
• 13:18–15:47 — Ferdinand's own political backstory, including his murder trial and legal cunning.
• 17:47–19:46 — Imelda’s media strategy and the use of her image to shape global perceptions.
• 21:16–25:07 — First schemes: GTE deal, Swiss bank accounts, the complexities of covering up financial crimes.
• 25:07–29:33 — Introduction of Ninoy Aquino; Imelda’s scandalously expensive Cultural Center.
• 31:02–32:46 — Dovie Beams’ affair, and Imelda using it as leverage for more power within the regime.
• 34:12–36:02 — Political crisis and contemplation of martial law; Plaza Miranda bombing.
• 37:17–38:00 — Martial law declared; press and opposition stifled, mass arrests.
• 41:44–43:51 — Imelda’s assassination attempt, conspiracy whispers, and her iconically shallow public response.
• 45:27–46:45 — Imelda's global shopping sprees, use of public funds, and the jaw-dropping scale of looting.
• 47:45–50:38 — Systemic corruption: skimming from the state, shell companies, fake names, industry monopolies, and laundering.
• 51:40–52:25 — Credits and recommended sources.

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Conclusion

This first installment on Imelda Marcos paints a vivid, damning portrait of one of history’s most notorious power couples, tracing the transformation of personal trauma into public myth, and beauty into the camouflage for theft and repression. The hosts expertly balance sharp social commentary, biting humor, and historical detail, setting up anticipation for the second part—when the world and the Filipino people finally start to fight back.

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Essential for listeners interested in true crime, political scandals, and flamboyant scams on a nation-sized scale.

Sources cited in episode:

• “The Rise and Fall of Imelda Marcos” by Carmen Navarro Pedrosa
• “Waltzing with a Dictator: The Marcoses and the Making of American Policy” by Raymond Bonner
• “The Kingmaker” (documentary, dir. Lauren Greenfield)

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Scamflancers fans, Sachi here. If you live for the outrageous stories and unbelievable cons that we cover, you need OneDryPlus. It's like sitting in the room with us as we unravel every twist ad free, a week ahead of everyone else and packed with exclusive content you won't hear anywhere else. Start your free trial in the Wondry app, Apple podcasts, or Spotify. Sarah, we all know how I feel about marriage, but I'm curious what you think about a marriage of convenience for a woman. Like, is it worth it to be married to a dud if he can get you literally anything you want?

[B]

Wow. I actually have no idea how you feel about marriage. Maybe you can let me know. You know what? I think that's probably fine. I mean, that's kind of what marriage was. Forever until quite recently when everyone was like, wait a second, should we be in love? It's always been kind of considered a business transaction almost. So if people are continuing with that tradition, who am I to judge?

[A]

Yeah, who's gonna get hurt by a little transactional relationship?

[B]

If that were me and a guy was like, we obviously don't love each other. This is convenience. I'd say, listen, we can do this, but you have to promise me one thing. Promise me you won't fall in love. Yeah. And then, you know, who knows what happens after that.

[A]

Yeah. The most twisted romance ever. A true scamfluencer's love. Sarah. Well, today I'm going to tell you about a political wife who understood just how much power there was in being the effervescent, glamorous, charming, plus one. She's going to take full advantage of it for her own benefit and no one else's. It's June 1977. On the remote island of Kaluit in the Philippines. A helicopter lands and out steps Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines, wife to dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a self styled patron of beauty and grandeur. Imelda has high cheekbones, glowing skin, and her dark hair is in a perfect bouffant. Cameras click as she smiles at the crowd of waiting press. Last year, Imelda went on a safari trip and was inspired to amass her own collection of African animals. So Ferdinand made it happen with a presidential decree. A British game dealer shipped in zebras, giraffes, gazelles and more from Kenya, transforming Kaluit into the Marcos own personal Serengeti. Ferdinand and Imelda are politicians who know that appearances are everything. So officially, they say that this park is about helping the world's conservation efforts, but really, it's for them. Imelda's here today to celebrate the animals being released into the park where they can roam free. But here's the thing. The island of Kaluit wasn't empty before the animals arrived. More than 250 Indigenous families have been forcibly removed to make way for this fantasy.

[B]

Oh, my God. Tale as old as time. And doesn't get any less upsetting.

[A]

No, it doesn't. And this eviction is only the beginning of the chaos. The animals struggle to adapt to their new home. Ecosystems falter and diseases spread and locals sneak back onto the island to poach. Meanwhile, the Marcos regime hails the Kaluit Safari park as a triumph of conservation efforts. Kaluit is just one example of how Imelda and Ferdinand have been treating the Philippines as their own personal playground. They rose to power, promising to free the Philippines from its colonial past. Instead, they looted billions and stopped at nothing to maintain control. The Marcoses built a political dynasty from next to nothing. But their legacy is a dark stain on global democracy.

[B]

I've never felt like this before.

[A]

It's like you just get me. I feel like my true self with you. Does that sound crazy?

[B]

And it doesn't hurt that you're gorgeous. Okay, that's it. I'm taking you home with me.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

From Wondery. I'm Sachi Kol.

[B]

And I'm Sarah Hagie.

[A]

And this is Scamflancers.

[B]

Come and give me your attention I won't ever learn my lesson Turn my.

[A]

Speakers to 11 I feel like a legend. A thousand pairs of shoes. Diamonds the size of jawbreakers. A fortune stolen from her nation. One woman collected it all. Imelda Marcos, A beauty queen turned political matriarch. Imelda was a tabloid Sensation in the 70s and 80s, partying at Studio 54 one night and rubbing elbows with world leaders the next. She used fashion, architecture and star power to dazzle the public and deflect attention from her family's brutal power grabs and massive theft. Today, we're following Imelda's rise from small town girl to globetrotting first lady with very expensive tastes. This is Imelda Marcos, the First lady of excess Part 1 legend It's a stifling April night in Manila in 1938. Imelda Ramldez is eight years old, lying awake on the wooden planks of a makeshift bed in a garage. Her younger siblings toss and turn beside her. Somewhere in the darkness, her mother slips out for some air. But when she returns, it's clear that something's wrong. Imelda's mom is burning up and shaking. Within hours, she's in the hospital, and two days later, she dies from pneumonia. For Imelda, it's a shattering loss. Her mother was the only constant in a family already falling apart. The Ramadez's were once among Manila's elite. Imelda's uncle was a nationalist leader, her father a respected lawyer. But when the economy tanked, her father's law practice collapsed and the family's fortune fell with also deepened rifts within the family. Imelda's father has children from a previous marriage and he retreated into the main house to live with them, while Imelda, her mother and her siblings were exiled to the garage. Seven months after her mother dies, Imelda's father sells their house and they all move to his hometown on an island on the other side of the Philippines. For Imelda, it's more than just a change of scenery. It's a fall from grace. In Manila, her last name meant something. On this rural island, she's just another hungry child in hand me downs. Imelda claims that by this point, her family's only asset is a jewel necklace and they have to trade one bead at a time for something to eat. It's an origin story that she'll repeat again later in life to garner sympathy. And while it's compelling, others have since disputed it. She had a tough childhood, but Imelda is resourceful. After World War II breaks out, she starts serenading American soldiers at GI camps. The soldiers are charmed, and Imelda sees that their attention gives her power. As a teenager, she's determined to regain the wealth and respect her family once had in Manila. So she enters a local beauty pageant. She wins and then keeps winning. In her early 20s, she travels to the capital city to compete in the Miss Manila contest, where she gets second place. It's impressive, but not good. Enough. Imelda protests her loss and turns on the waterworks, begging the mayor to reverse the decision. He melts. And while he can't give her the crown, he does dub her the muse of Manila. Here's a photo of her from her pageant days.

[B]

Yeah, this is an old black and white photo, and she's wearing this, like, pretty dress. Her hair's done up. She looks really beautiful. And I think it's understandable why she would use her beauty as currency and take it so seriously at this time in her life.

[A]

Yeah, she's making the most of what she's got. In 1954, Imelda's cousin brings her to work with him at the Filipino House of Representatives, where he introduces her to Ferdinand Marcos. Imelda's 24, and Ferdinand is a 36 year old congressman. He's also a lawyer, an alleged war hero, and most importantly to Imelda, a man who knows exactly what he wants. On the campaign trail, he told crowds he wouldn't stop with the House of Representatives. He vowed to become the president of the Philippines within 20 years. But what he wants right now is Imelda. Within 20 minutes of meeting her, he proposes. At first, she doesn't know if he's joking, but he's definitely not. Here she is in a 2003 documentary called Imelda, describing his obsession with her.

[C]

I have never seen anybody was more in love with me than this guy. He could not take his eyes off me. And he could not eat, he could not drink.

[A]

Ferdinand proceeds to bombard her with flowers, chocolates, and diamonds for the next 10 days. In that same Imelda documentary, she recalls her cousin giving her some advice.

[C]

He said, you know, this guy is a future president. This guy is brilliant. This guy is everything. He's got all the potential. He's legendary. He's this. Whoever will not marry. This guy is stupid.

[B]

It's funny because this happened so long ago and the circumstances of her life were pretty difficult. So obviously it is an out. But anyone would say that now so many women would be like, you'd be stupid to not go with this guy who's gorgeous, has everything, will be something. Go for it.

[A]

Totally understandable. Imelda decides to accept Ferdinand's proposal, And after just 11 days, they get married. Here's a picture of them at their wedding. Sarah, can you describe it?

[B]

He's carrying her the way grooms do when they just get married. She's swimming in this huge white dress, and he is a cutie. He has a gorgeous smile. They look Perfect.

[A]

They look perfect. Imelda thinks she secured her perfect life. But what she doesn't fully realize is that she's marrying into a political machine, one built on charm, ego, and ruthless ambition. And while the wedding looks like a fairy tale, Imelda is about to learn that life inside the halls of power is anything but charmed. Over the next six years, Imelda has three kids and learns that life as a congressman's wife isn't all it's cracked up to be. In the early 1960s, she looks around and realizes that she's actually miserable. The parties, the handshakes, the ribbon cutting, the schmoozing, it's all one big migraine, Literally. She gets them relentlessly, and they're making it impossible to live her life.

[B]

What else did she expect? She thought she would just get married to a politician and hide in the background?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, maybe that's what she was hoping.

[B]

No, with that face, not happening. Imelda.

[A]

Well, the pressure is starting to overwhelm her. Eventually, Imelda ends up in a psychiatric hospital in New York, reportedly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Supposedly, treatment in the Philippines wasn't working, so they decided to go halfway around the world for help. But the doctors can't find anything medically wrong with Imelda. It seems like she just hates politics. When Ferdinand hears the diagnosis, he says he'll quit right now if that's what makes her happy. This moment changes everything for Imelda. For the first time, she realizes how much power she actually has. She's not just a trophy wife. She's the one person Ferdinand is willing to give up everything for, but she won't let him. Here she is explaining her decision in the Imelda documentary.

[C]

I said, if this man would give up his ultimate ambition to become President of the Republic of the Philippines, why can't I give up something? It was a real turning point. It's a matter of change of attitude. I said how lucky I am that people come to my home. How lucky I am that I am the one giving a help rather than I asking for help.

[B]

I think it's dangerous for her to understand her power is coming from this kind of manipulation, especially someone who has felt probably powerless her whole life. It's kind of like a light bulb moment, right?

[A]

Yeah. This combination is a bit of a powder keg. Imelda starts practicing autosuggestion, something she learned from one of her New York psychologists. The idea is that if she repeats a belief to herself often enough, it will become true. So she reminds herself that she's lucky to have a husband she loves and who loves her. Lucky to have her life, lucky to be chosen. She repeats it over and over again until it sinks in like gospel. When Imelda returns to Manila, she's transformed. She's ready to play the part of elegant, beautiful wife. And next up on the itinerary, helping her husband win the highest office in the land. It's 1965 in Manila. The sun is beating down on a packed plaza as 48 year old Ferdinand steps up to a podium. His dark hair is slicked back and he flashes his signature grin. He's still on the campaign trail, but he's smiling like he's already president. His supporters cheer to them, he's a war hero, a brilliant lawyer, and the man who can make the Philippines stronger. Even his critics have to admit that he knows how power works and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. The Philippines is still in the early stages of independence. It's only been two decades since they broke away from the United States, a country that once colonized them and then kept them tethered as a self governing commonwealth. In that time, the Philippines has had just five presidents. But to many Filipinos, the system already feels stuck. The country's weighed down by gridlock, corruption, and foreign influence that never really went away. There aren't a lot of ideological differences between Ferdinand and his opponent, the current president. This is a vibes based campaign, and that's something that Ferdinand thinks he can win. Ferdinand comes from a family of politicians. His father was a governor and his hero. He raised Ferdinand to be cunning and ruthless, drilling two rules into him. Never settle for second place and never pick a fight you can't win. And Ferdinand takes that advice really seriously. As a young man, he was found guilty of assassinating his father's political rival. Even while on trial, he managed to finish law school and supposedly placed first in the national bar exam. Ferdinand appealed his conviction to the Supreme Court, argued his own case, and won. A judge literally said it would be a waste to put someone who shows as much intelligence and leadership potential as Ferdinand Ferdinand behind bars, no matter what he may or may not have done. Is that how the law can work for some people?

[B]

You know, you hear really rare cases of something like this happening, and you're like, I need to experience this person in real life to see how their vibe could make a judge say that.

[A]

Yeah, not guilty vibes is what I always aim for. Ferdinand is a man who can turn murder into myth. He's Already a congressman, and now with the presidency within reach, he's one once again, surrounding himself with stories and symbols. And Imelda is the biggest of them all. At 36 years old, Imelda is tall, polished, and photogenic. She sings love songs at rallies, kisses babies, and floats in and out of banquets with her hair done up, beauty queen style. The migraines are behind her, and she's embraced the role of first lady in waiting. Imelda is Fernand's secret weapon. The people adore her. Together, they're a one, two punch. Ferdinand's a strongman with a vision, promising to root out rampant corruption. And Imelda's the radiant first lady, dazzling crowds with her beauty and serenading them on the campaign trail. Ferdinand has created the perfect projection of honest, ambitious, beautiful leadership. But behind the scenes, he's already taking shady contributions from businessmen in exchange for political favors. But it doesn't matter. Ferdinand wins the presidency, and in December 1965, he's sworn into office. At his inauguration, he declares that he's been given a, quote, mandate for greatness. Ferdinand promised reform, transparency, and a break from the country's colonial past. But now that he's in office, absolute power will reveal who he really is. And the man who swore to root out corruption is about to usher in even more of it. It's September 1966. Seven months after Ferdinand is sworn into office, Imelda is traveling with him to the US for their first official state visit. Today, the couple is pulling up outside the Lincoln center in a limousine for the grand opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House. Imelda and Ferdinand share a box with Lady Bird Johnson, the first lady of the United States. They smile and pose for the cameras, thrilled to be recognized as equals with American leaders. In one of these photos, Imelda stands front and center next to Lady Bird, dressed in a shimmering gown, looking completely at home. Sarah, take a look.

[B]

This is such a glamorous photo. You know, it's black and white. They're wearing gorgeous dresses. All the men are in really formal tuxedos. And you just look at her, and you know she's important.

[A]

Yeah, definitely. World leaders are embracing the Marcoses more than previous Filipino politicians. They're glamorous, intelligent, charming, and relentless. And the media is obsessed with them. Officially, Ferdinand is in the US to pledge support for America's Cold War effort in Southeast Asia and to negotiate economic and military deals for the Philippines. But unofficially, the trip is all about Imelda. Newspapers call her the first lady of Asia. She gets a feature spread in Life magazine. The New York Times puts her on the front page, and a reporter from the London Evening Standard compares her to Queen Elizabeth, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace. When the couple dines at the White House, the dinner menu even features a special glace. Imelda. She's more than a political wife. Imelda has become a global celebrity. Imelda believes that if she looks glamorous and powerful, the world will assume the Philippines is too. Here she is explaining her philosophy to a CBC News correspondent.

[C]

As First Lady, I have to flaunt love and beauty so that the 50 million Filipinos will see what is to love and what is perfection. I've always claimed to be some kind of a soldier for duty and a soldier for love, which is some kind of a frivolity in this age and stage of mankind when there is so much deprivation and yet it is so basic for survival of a human being.

[B]

It's so upsetting when someone with power is talking about how like, I'm a soldier for beauty. I'm a soldier for love. That's not tangible. That's not what people want. People want things. You being gorgeous is awesome to look at, but I want something.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, call me when you being beautiful gets me food or a job. But Imelda really believes that being fabulous is good for the Philippines. And she's being very patriotic. So she starts spending. She collects lavish gowns, designer shoes and custom jewelry. Imelda also leans into her family's wealthy reputation. She wants people to believe she and Ferdinand have always had money, so no one will question how they have so much now. But later, intel suggests that she and friends Ferdinand started stealing public funds for their private luxury. At this point, unfortunately, we don't know the specifics. Their global coming out party wasn't just a PR dream. They secured political successes, too. Ferdinand negotiates increased economic assistance from the US for the Philippines, including 45 million dollars in agricultural programs and at least 16 million in military equipment. With this money, Ferdinand starts delivering on some of his campaign trail promises. He invests in infrastructure and education, and he comes down hard on violent criminals. It seems like progress, but behind the glitz and the glamour of the first couple are the seeds of a scam that will change the course of the Philippines forever. The Marcoses will claim their lifestyle glorifies all of their countrymen, while siphoning billions of dollars from the very people who elected.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Yeah, I mean, be careful, Sachi. People are gonna start, they're gonna start treating you differently.

[A]

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[C]

I feel like a legend.

[A]

It's 1966, still less than a year into Ferdinand's first term. Since Imelda became first lady, she's been spending like her life depends on it. And Ferdinand has to find ways to keep the cash flowing back when he was just an attorney, his net worth was in the tens of thousands of dollars. But as soon as Ferdinand takes office, this number starts to grow. The details about his kickbacks and personal dealings at this time are murky at best. But there's one bit of wheeling and dealing we do know about. In 1966, an American electronics company called GTE decides to sell its shares in a Philippine subsidiary. A buyer is all lined up. Then suddenly, another group swoops in and convinces GTE to sell to them. A group that just so happens to include Ferdinand and his cronies. GTE ends up paying at least $4.5 million to this group. Through secret commissions, credits, and uncollected loans, Ferdinand himself picks up shares that will later be worth $15 million. That's equal to nearly $140 million in today's money. Right after the deal is done, the paper trail disappears. It seems like the sale of the phone company was just a cover for moving money around. And if all of this sounds confusing, it's because it's meant to be that way. Ferdinand does deals like this over and over, making the transactions so complex that they mostly go undetected at the time. It'll later take law enforcement years to make sense of it.

[B]

He has a whole team of people behind him. So in my mind, there's definitely some people turning a blind eye towards a lot of this. Or perhaps benefiting from it.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. The only people who have any idea that this is even happening are in his and Imelda's inner circle. And presumably they're also profiting off of these schemes as well. And then two years later, in 1968, Ferdinand uses a fake name to deposit nearly $1 million into four Credit Suisse accounts. It's unclear where exactly this money came from, but he and Imelda see it as theirs. They use the names William Saunders and Jane Ryan to access the account. Ferdinand even practices his fake signature on official government letterhead. Ferdinand and Imelda may feel untouchable, but someone from Imelda's past is about to become their loudest critic. It's February 1969, and Bonino Aquino, better known as Ninoy, is standing at a podium. He's 36 years old, short and stocky, with large wire rimmed glasses and a comb over. He's the sharp tongued leader of the Liberal opposition party and a rising star in the Philippine Senate. Ninoy has been building a reputation as one of the fiercest critics of the Marcoses. He hates what they've done to the country. He accuses Ferdinand of turning the Philippines into a military state and putting loyalists into positions of power. He warns that if Filipinos elect Ferdinand for a second term, he'll only get more authoritarian. And this is all without Ninoy even knowing the extent of his grift. Ninoy calls for transparency, civil liberties, and a return to constitutional rule. He promises to bring reforms that will benefit ordinary Filipinos, not just the elite. He's only just been elected to the Senate, but his party has hopes that in four more years, he'll run for president himself. They just need to make sure democracy survives, because Ninoy's not so sure that Ferdinand will peacefully hand over power when the time comes. Interestingly, Ninoy also has a bit of history with Imelda. They knew each other as teenagers, and according to some sources, he even briefly courted her. It's unclear whether they've had any further interactions as adults.

[B]

I really think this guy sounds like a threat. Anyone who has this kind of power to be a critic and have people feel brave through their speech, like, Ninoy is in dangerous territory here. And maybe his little history with Imelda also creates a bit more danger for him.

[A]

Yeah, he's definitely making himself a target because he's going out of his way to blast Imelda's latest architectural project. Project, The Cultural center of the Philippines. It's a huge modern building with an eye catching design and an extravagant water feature out front. Here's a picture of it. Sarah, can you describe it?

[B]

So this is one of those very sleek, classy looking brutalist buildings. And it has a giant fountain in front of it. Like, I always feel like I never understand the purpose of fountains like this. And then I get sucked in by one by just staring at it for a long time. And I'm like, you know what this low key eats? It's cool to watch a fountain sometimes. And this is a cool fountain. What can I say?

[A]

I actually think this is so ugly. It's so scary.

[B]

It's scary, but it's a cool looking building. Like, it's clearly signaling a type of sophistication, right?

[A]

Yes, that's true. But Ninoy rails against just how much the center is costing the Philippines. Since the start of construction in 1966, the budget for the project has ballooned to about $35 million, or about $306 million today. And to make matters worse, Imelda pulled money from other public funds to cover the extra expenses. Without asking for congressional approval, Ninoy criticizes her for misappropriating funds. He says Imelda's not creating culture by building this venue. She's destroying it by not helping actual Filipinos. There's slum housing literally next door to the new center in a state. In a speech titled A Pantheon for Imelda, Ninoy calls the extravagance center a monument to shame. And he labels Imelda, quote, a megalomaniac with a penchant to captivate. Other Filipinos say that she has an edifice complex.

[B]

Wow, these are sick burns. I will say that it's very clear that Imelda's entire thing is about seeming cosmopolitan, being a patron of the arts, like, kind of fulfilling this classy role that powerful people seem to have. And of course, like, yeah, art centers are good, but when people are homeless nearby and it's costing that much money in such a terrible time, like, Ninoy is only stating the obvious.

[A]

Yeah. And his speech catches the attention of the Marcoses. Ferdinand defends Imelda in the press by calling Ninoy a congenital liar. Ninoy refuses to be silenced, but the Marcoses have a special pull on the Philippine people. Imelda's cultural center opens up that September, and a few months later, Ferdinand wins re election. But Ninoy won't let up. As far as he's concerned, Ferdinand's reelection campaign was a total sham. He points to massive vote buying, rampant intimidation, and the suspicious surge in spending by the Marcos camp. To Ninoy, it's clear the Marcos has bought the election. But Ninoy's not the only one taking hits at the Marcoses. Soon a scandal is going to rock the palace and shift the balance of power in Imelda and Ferdinand's relationship forever. About a year after Ferdinand's reelection, Imelda is alone in one of the palace's gilded sitting rooms, watching the television flicker to life. She's expecting the usual broadcast, a political speech, maybe footage of Ferdinand cutting another ribbon. But what she sees instead stops her cold. It's not her husband on the screen. It's his mistress. The woman is Dovey Beams, an American actress who came to the Philippines two years earlier to film a low budget movie. Dovey has big doe eyes and long brown hair that looks like she just rolled out of bed in a very supermodel kind of way. Imelda knows her husband has had affairs before, but he's kept his indiscretions discreetly until now. And Dovey is different. She's not a one night stand. She's his mistress. And today she's ruining everything. She's hosting a press conference and spilling every detail of her relationship with the president. How it began, how long it lasted, and what he said in bed. And then she reveals that she has tapes, secret recordings of her and Ferdinand in bed together. Fernand recently broke things off with Dovey, which is why she's releasing the tapes now. She claims it's for her own protection in case something happens to her. Now Imelda is forced to acknowledge her husband with another woman. And not only did he betray her, he's put their hard earned image as a loving, doting first couple at risk.

[B]

Oh, gosh, this is always so interesting to me because it's like she knows he had affairs and. And she's basically okay with it in a don't ask, don't tell kind of way. The problem here is that the narrative is out of her control. It's not that he was with someone else or had a mistress. It's all about her power and image.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Which is pretty common with powerful couples.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. And Imelda refuses to let Ferdinand's stupid mistake cost them everything. She reportedly begins to use the situation as leverage to get what she wants. And now she wants more than jewels, shoes, or lavish trips. She wants real decision making authority. It's the beginning of what people will come to call a conjugal dictatorship, where a dictator's wife has as much, if not more power than her husband. Imelda's found a way to take her most embarrassing moment and weaponize it, tipping the balance of power in her marriage in her favor, while Ferdinand is left to deal with the consequences. And his next move could define more than just their marriage. It could define the future of the Philippines itself. It's early 1971, and Ferdinand's second term is off to a rough start. The economy is collapsing under years of debt fueled spending. Inflation is skyrocketing, foreign reserves are nearly gone, and the gap between the rich and the poor is wider than ever. People are fed up and worried that Ferdinand will somehow try to stay in power for longer than his two constitutionally allowed terms. Students have been demanding reform and calling for the end of the Marcos regime. Some demonstrations turn violent, but even the peaceful ones are growing harder for Ferdinand to ignore.

[B]

Yeah, it's scary to think of how far he will go to protect himself and his image and this life he built. I'm scared of where this is going to go.

[A]

Yeah, you're right to be worried. Because inside the palace, Ferdinand begins to consider martial law. It's an unprecedented step in the democratic era. And one that would give him sweeping power. But his advisors warn him against it. The international community is watching, and as Ferdinand's father taught him, you never want to pick a fight you can't win. So he decides to wait. But in August, things escalate. Grenades explode at a political rally for the opposition, killing nine people. Rumors start swirling that the grenades were ordered by Ferdinand. But whether he knew or gave the orders is still being debated to this day. What's clear is Ferdinand is dead set on holding onto his power and access to money. But he's been elected twice, so constitutionally he can't run again. He and Imelda hoped that they could get her elected as his successor. But the grenade attack seems to have boosted support for the opposition in the 1971 congressional elections. Several of Ferdinand's hand picked candidates are defeated. And a recent survey showed that 80% of Filipinos rejected the idea of Imelda as president. An election would be incredibly risky. So Ferdinand considers his he can take the democratic route and step aside, or he can hold on to power by any means necessary. Ferdinand chooses the latter, and he and Imelda begin planning to institute martial law. Ferdinand even calls US President Richard Nixon and warns him what he's about to do. And apparently Nixon doesn't voice any objections.

[B]

You don't say. He's like, I wish I could do that.

[A]

He was jealous. On September 21, 1972, Ferdinand signs the documents that placed the Philippines under martial law. Two days later, the country wakes up to Ferdinand's troops locking down the capital. All TV stations, most radio stations, and every major newspaper are shut down. The streets are cleared, and for more than 12 hours, the Philippines is essentially cut off from the outside world. During this time, Ferdinand's henchmen carry out a plan called Operation Sagittarius. They arrest opposition leaders, including Senator Ninoya. He's flapped with trumped up charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms and subversion, and thrown into a military prison. The jail's fill with hundreds more, including students, journalists and union organizers. And a new set of orders are handed down. There's a nationwide travel ban and midnight curfew, and demonstrations are outlawed. Then at 7:15pm Ferdinand's voice crackles onto radio and TV stations owned by his cronies. He announces that he's taken sweeping control of the government to save the Republic from communist anarchy. Here's the start of his declaration, preserved by the AP archives.

[C]

I, as your duly elected President of the Republic, use this power, which may be implemented by the military authorities, but.

[A]

Still is a power embodied in the.

[C]

Constitution to protect the Republic of the.

[A]

Philippines and our democracy. By declaring martial law, Ferdinand becomes a dictator. There are no longer any checks and balances with other branches of government. Congress is dissolved and dissent is criminalized. Fair trials are no longer guaranteed, and Ferdinand is left to do whatever he wants with the help of the military. And while all of this is happening, Ferdinand opens another secret Swiss bank account.

[B]

You know, it's really scary how a president could just turn into a dictator. Like, there's really nothing stopping him. So to me, I'm like, of course he was going to open another bank account, and of course he's going to take money from the people of the Philippines like they never really mattered. And I don't know, I feel like this is just a really terrifying development for everyone and it makes me scared for Ninoy.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, who's going to stop him? It's the dawn of a new era for Ferdinand, Imelda, and the Philippines, One that will be marked by human rights abuses, corruption, and paranoia. But it's also the beginning of a slow unraveling. Ferdinand has unchecked power now, but he's made a lot of enemies. And soon one of them is going to come for his wife.

[B]

On Boxing Day, 2018, 20 year old Joy Morgan was last seen at her church, Israel United in Christ, or iuic.

[A]

I just went on my Snapchat and.

[B]

I just see her face plastered everywhere. This is the missing sister, the true story of a woman betrayed by those she trusted most.

[A]

IUIC is my family and like the best family that I've ever had.

[B]

But IUIC isn't like most churches.

[A]

This is a devilish cult.

[B]

You know when you get that feeling.

[A]

Like you just, I don't want to be here and I want to get out.

[B]

It's like that feeling of, okay, I.

[A]

Want to go hang out.

[B]

I'm Charlie Brent, Coast Cuff. And after years of investigating Joy's case, I need to know what really happened to Joy. Binge all episodes of the Missing Sister exclusively and ad free right now on Wondery. Start your free trial of Wondery on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or in the Wondery app.

[A]

In November 1974, IRA bombs ripped through two Birmingham pubs, killing 21 innocent people. Hundreds more were injured. It was the worst attack on British soil since the Second World War. When a crime this appalling and shocking happens, you want the police to act quickly. And boy did they. The very next day, they had six men in custody. Confessions followed, and the men were sent down for life. Good riddance, you might think, except those men were innocent. Join me, Matt Ford, and me, Alice Levine, for the latest series of British Scandal all about the Birmingham Six. It's the story of how a terrible tragedy morphed into a travesty of justice and how one man couldn't rest until he'd exposed the truth. Follow British Scandal now wherever you listen to podcasts and binge any entire series early and ad free on Wondery. It's December 1972, 11 weeks since Ferdinand declared martial law. Imelda is on stage at a ceremony for the National Beautification and Cleanliness Council, her latest pet project. She's dressed immaculately, handing out awards for a citywide contest, when suddenly, a man in a dark suit lunges at her with a 12 inch bolo knife. The man swings the knife wildly. People scream. Security rushes the stage, and for several long, surreal seconds, no one can stop him from hacking at her as she tries to fight him off. Eventually, a soldier opens fire and the man drops to the ground. The whole thing is caught on camera and broadcast across the country. Here's a bit of archival news footage of the event.

[C]

In the Philippines, President Marcos resorts to martial law to quiet his country's unrest. When he fails to appear at a public gathering, a crazed assailant stabs Mrs. Marcos instead.

[A]

75 stitches are required to close her wounds.

[B]

Yeah, I feel like something like this is never really that surprising to me because these people feel very siloed by the violence they created and the violence that's happening because of, you know, their policies. And now under martial law, there is no way for regular people to express their outreach. So inevitably, someone will resort to violence out of desperation. And of course, it's gonna come back to the people who kind of created the violence in the first place.

[A]

Yeah. Tale as old as time. Imelda is airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. Ferdinand, who was playing golf during the OR ordeal, rushes to her side. Imelda's got minor injuries to her hands and arms, but overall she's fine. The man is identified as an engineer with no obvious motive. But Fernand steps in with a neat the attacker must have been after him, and the fact that he got so close to Imelda proves that there's a larger conspiracy at play. It's exactly the kind of threat Ferdinand needs to justify martial law. And Imelda can see how perfectly moment the plays into their hands. It's all so convenient. Some whisper that the Marcoses staged it, which isn't a Stretch. Considering Ferdinand's history of using sneaky tactics to fool the public, they're known as false flag attacks. Basically, when you stage something bad and make it look like your enemies did it so you can justify cracking down on them.

[B]

Would I put it past them to do a false flag? No, of course not. And this is how conspiracy theories start. When the government is this dishonest, everything becomes a conspiracy theory.

[A]

Yeah, well, there's no proof that's what happened here. But Imelda's not about to contradict her husband. At her next public appearance, her arm is held in a chic gold chain sling. Can you read what she says when she's asked about the attack?

[B]

Yes. She says, if there's somebody who's going to kill me. Why is it to be a bolo? That is so ugly. I wish they put some kind of yellow ribbon or some kind of nice thing. Why such an ugly instrument? You know, it's just so sick. These people are so sick. That's your response? Mocking the climate they created that made this happen, you know?

[A]

Yes, but also, that is the most Asian woman response I've ever heard in my life. That just sounds like my mother. Well, Imelda and Ferdinand are using every weapon at their disposal to justify the existence of martial law, even if the weapon is originally aimed at them. And as they tighten their grip on the country, they continue to build a regime that doesn't just take advantage of the system, it bleeds it dry. In January 1973, just weeks after surviving an assassination attempt, Imelda travels to Washington, D.C. without Ferdinand to represent the Philippines at President Nixon's second inauguration. She's radiant in a leopard skin coat, flanked by an entourage of 21 people and 200 suitcases. But the American capital is just the first stop on a whirlwind tour. From there, she jets off to London. She already owns a penthouse there, but instead of staying in it, she books a lavish hotel suite. Her crew orders smoked salmon, roast turkey, and entire cases of Dom Perignon for a dinner party. The night ends on the dance floor at Annabelle's, an elite London where the party doesn't stop until sunrise. Naturally, Imelda loves a disco.

[B]

Oh, this is so brutal. All this with stolen money. These people in her country are suffering. She was only a marriage away from being one of the people who continue to suffer. And when people are this flagrant about their spending, I'm always waiting for the moment it turns around on them. So I'm patiently waiting.

[A]

Well, while Imelda's trips abroad are always framed as official business. She also indulges in international shopping sprees. Harrods in London, Bloomingdale's in New York, Liberty House in Honolulu. Imelda sweeps through each one like a general, conquering new territory, floor by floor, section by section, racking up bills in the hundreds of thousands. She doesn't worry about paying them. Ferdinand's given the Philippine national bank orders to disburse whatever she wants, no questions asked, using a secret intelligence account. So her private shopping is always covered by public funds. Within the year, Imelda's personal wealth is estimated at $250 million. Within two years, that number climbs to $350 million. And it doesn't stop there. A decade later, she and Ferdinand will have hoarded $1.6 billion, all while the average Filipino makes less than 200 bucks a year.

[B]

This makes me so deeply sick to my stomach. And also, this is crazy that it's like $1.6 billion decades ago.

[A]

Yeah, it's so much money. And here's another thing. Around this time, Imelda also orders bulldozers to demolish her childhood home, along with that garage that she once lived in. The official reason is beautification, but to her, it's something deeper. It's about erasing her past. She's now running in circles with crown princes, billionaire heiresses, and American presidents. She doesn't want a reminder of where she came from. She's only looking towards where she's going. While Imelda builds her empire abroad, Ferdinand is busy fortifying his own power at home. And the Marcoses aren't just siphoning cash anymore. They're rigging entire industries, all to get as rich as possible. By 1973, one year into martial law, Ferdinand feels untouchable. The headlines are favorable because he controls what gets published. There's no dissent in the streets because he jails all of his enemies. And in the halls of the palace, he's living it up and enriching himself. While the country struggles, he's skimming gold off the top of the country's reserves and stashing it away in his own bank accounts. Gold is one of the Philippines biggest exports. The previous year, after two decades of steady growth, the Philippines produced over 57 metric tons of it. But now, thanks to Ferdinand, these reserves suddenly plummet by over 40%. At the time, that's a loss of $280 million. Eventually, US intelligence agencies will start looking into the missing gold and becomes suspicious of Ferdinand and his associates. But for now, no one's batting an eye in the Philippines because Ferdinand is the government. Meanwhile, Ferdinand hands out monopolies like party favors. Coconuts, sugar, tobacco, bananas. He arrests the son of a media tycoon on bogus charges, forcing the family to sell their $400 million utility company to him for half the price so he can rake in profits. And when brute force doesn't work, he uses decrees, shell companies, and his loyal friends to take what he wants. Ferdinand and Imelda know it's only a matter of time before the public notices the outrageous amount of new money in their hands. So Ferdinand develops a system to hide the evidence. He starts putting businesses, properties, and bank accounts in other people's names. He then has them write D transfer, but they leave the name blank. For all intents and purposes, the deeds belong to Ferdinand. But now there's no paper trail. The scams only get bigger and bolder. From there, Ferdinand starts stealing foreign aid, war reparations, and even US Military support. Coconut farmers are forced to pay a bogus $216 million levy that's supposedly for industry reform, but it all ends up in Swiss bank accounts. And with so much dirty money pouring in, Ferdinand sets up his own shadow banking system to clean it. By the time anyone starts asking questions, it's too late. The corruption isn't a bug. It's the entire system. Meanwhile, Imelda continues her never ending campaign for beauty. In the summer of 1974, she hosts the Miss Universe pageant at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila, yet another venue that was hastily caused, constructed under her orders. She boasts about how it's the first time the pageant has ever been held in Asia and that she was the one who brought it to her people. Ultimately, this is Imelda's biggest scam, distracting and deceiving the world from the true horrors that are happening under her husband's dictatorship. But the Filipino people are starting to catch on, and the groundswell of hate against Ferdinand and Imelda is growing. Soon someone will speak out against their corruption, and they'll make sure the world is watching. When they do, loving scamflancers get exclusive episodes and early access to new ones. All ad free on Wondry Plus. Join now in the Wondry app, Apple podcasts, or Spotify. Before you go, help us out by taking a quick [e-mail] survey. This is Imelda Marcos, the First lady of Excess, Part 1. I'm Satchi Cole.

[B]

And I'm Sarah Hagie. If you have a tip for us on a story that you think we should cover, Please email [e-mail] we use many sources in our research. A few that were particularly helpful were the Rise and Fall of Imelda Marcos by Carmen Navarro Pedrosa, Waltzing With a the Marcoses and the Making of American Policy by Raymond Bonner and Laura Greenfield's documentary the Kingmaker.

[A]

Alex Burns wrote this episode. Additional writing by us Sachi Cole and Sarah Hagie. Olivia Briley is our story editor. Fact checking by Gabrielle Joliet Sound design by James Morgan. Additional audio assistance provided by Augustine Lim. Our music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Freeze on Sync. Our managing producer is Desi Blaylock. Our senior managing producer is Callum Plews, Janine Cornello and Stephanie Jens, our development producers. Our associate producer is Charlotte Miller. Our producer is Julie McGruder. Our senior producers are Sarah Enny and Ginny Blume. Our executive producers are Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marsha Louie and Erin o' Flaherty for Wondry.

[E]

Hi, I'm Denise Chan, host of Scam Factory. You might remember hearing about our investigative series that exposed what's really happening behind those suspicious texts you get inside heavily guarded compounds across Asia. Thousands are trapped in force to scam others or risk torture. One of our most powerful stories was Jealous a young woman who thought she'd found her dream job only to end up imprisoned in a scam compound. Her escape story caught the attention of Criminal's Phoebe Judge and I'm honored to share more details of Jela's journey with their audience. But Jella's story is just one piece of this investigation. In Scam Factory, we reveal how a billion dollar criminal empire turns job seekers into prisoners and how the only way out is to scam your way out. Ready to uncover the full story, binge all episodes of Scam Factory now. Listen to Scam Factory on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.