When people talk about Pablo Escobar, they usually think about the dangerous drug lord who controlled Colombia in the 1980s. But behind this criminal was a woman who lived through everything with him. Her name is Maria Victoria Henao, and her story is both sad and interesting.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Maria Victoria Henao |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961, Palmira, Colombia |
| Famous As | Pablo Escobar’s Wife |
| Married | 1976 (Age 15) |
| Children | Juan Pablo (Sebastian Marroquin), Manuela |
| Years Married | 17 years (1976-1993) |
| Current Location | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Book | Mrs. Escobar: My Life with Pablo (2019) |
A Young Girl Meets a Future Criminal
Maria Victoria Henao was born in 1961 in a small town called Palmira in Colombia. She grew up in a regular middle-class family and loved dancing. Her life was normal until she met Pablo Escobar when she was only 13 years old.
Pablo was 24 at that time, eleven years older than Maria. She met him through her older brother Carlos, who worked with Pablo. Pablo was different from anyone Maria had ever known. He was charming, gave her gifts, and made her feel special. The young girl quickly fell in love with him.
Getting Married at 15
Even though Maria’s parents did not want her to marry Pablo, the couple was determined to be together. Her family knew Pablo was involved in bad business, but Maria was too young and too in love to understand the danger.
In March 1976, Maria and Pablo got married. She was only 15 years old, and he was 26. They married in a church without her parents being there. Maria thought this was the beginning of a beautiful love story, but the reality would be very different.
Life as a Drug Lord’s Wife
At first, Maria did not know what Pablo really did for work. He told her he had businesses selling clothes and real estate. She believed him because they had lots of money and lived in big, beautiful houses. Maria finished her education, traveled to different countries, and enjoyed a life of luxury.
In 1977, Maria gave birth to their first child, a son named Juan Pablo. Seven years later, in 1984, they had a daughter named Manuela. Maria focused on being a good mother and wife, but slowly she learned the truth about Pablo’s criminal activities.
Pablo Escobar ran the Medellin Cartel, which controlled more than 80% of the drug trade around the world. He became one of the richest and most dangerous criminals in history. Maria’s comfortable life came from drug money, and she could not escape this reality.
The Hard Parts of Marriage
Maria’s marriage was not happy, even with all the money. Pablo had many girlfriends during their 17 years together. He even built a special place at their famous home, Hacienda Napoles, where he could meet these other women. One of his most famous girlfriends was a journalist named Virginia Vallejo.
Maria knew about Pablo’s cheating, and it hurt her deeply. But she never left him. She later said she stayed because she loved him, but also because she was afraid. She worried that Pablo might hurt her or their children if she tried to leave.
As Pablo’s criminal empire grew bigger, life became more dangerous. The Colombian government wanted to catch him, and his enemies wanted to kill him. Maria and her children had to hide in different safe houses. Sometimes they had to wear blindfolds when cartel members took them to visit Pablo. Maria lived in constant fear that someone would hurt her family.
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Pablo’s Death and Running Away
On December 2, 1993, Colombian police found Pablo hiding on a rooftop in Medellin. They shot and killed him. While many people celebrated his death, Maria and her children mourned. They had lost their father and husband.
After Pablo died, Maria knew they were in danger. Pablo’s enemies might want revenge, and the Colombian government would investigate them. She took her two children and fled Colombia. They tried to find safety in Germany and Mozambique, but both countries said no.
Finally, in 1994, the family arrived in Argentina. To hide from people, they changed their names. Maria started calling herself Maria Isabel Santos Caballero or Victoria Henao Vallejos. Her son Juan Pablo changed his name to Sebastian Marroquin, and her daughter Manuela became Juana Manuela Marroquin Santos.
Trouble in Argentina
Maria thought Argentina would give them a fresh start, but problems continued. In 1999, the Argentine police arrested Maria and her son Juan Pablo for money laundering. They stayed in prison for over a year, but the police could not find enough proof against them.
When Maria was released, she told reporters she was arrested only because she was Pablo Escobar’s wife, not because she did anything wrong. She felt people were still punishing her for her husband’s crimes.
A Quiet Life and Breaking the Silence
After leaving prison, Maria tried to live a quiet, private life in Buenos Aires. For almost 20 years, she stayed away from the public and raised her children.
In 2019, Maria decided to tell her story. She wrote a book called “Mrs. Escobar: My Life with Pablo.” In this book, she shared her experiences, her love for Pablo, and the pain she suffered. She wanted people to understand her side of the story, especially her children and grandchildren.
Maria also spoke to the media and apologized to Colombia for all the terrible things Pablo did. She said she feels deep sadness and shame for the pain her husband caused to so many people. But she also made it clear that she never worked with the cartel or helped with criminal activities.
Her Children Today
Maria’s children have built new lives far from their father’s shadow.
Her son, Sebastian Marroquin, works as an architect and designer. He wrote his own book called “Pablo Escobar: My Father” and travels around Latin America giving talks against violence and drug trafficking. He has even met some of his father’s victims to say sorry.
Her daughter, Manuela, chose to stay completely away from the public. Very little is known about her current life, as she wants total privacy.
Maria’s Life Now
Today, Maria Victoria Henao lives in Argentina with some family members. She is in her early 60s and continues to keep a low profile. She does not use social media and rarely gives interviews.
Her story shows the complicated life of someone who loved a criminal. Maria was young when she fell in love with Pablo. She did not choose his criminal life, but she lived with the results. Some people feel sorry for her, while others think she enjoyed the benefits of drug money for too long.
Lessons from Maria’s Story
Maria Victoria Henao’s life teaches us several important lessons. Love can be complicated, especially when it involves someone doing bad things. Fear can trap people in difficult situations. And the choices one person makes can affect their entire family for generations.
Maria spent 17 years married to one of the world’s most dangerous criminals. After his death, she spent decades running from his legacy. Her decision to finally share her story shows courage, even if people disagree about her choices.
Today, she lives quietly, hoping people will see her as more than just Pablo Escobar’s wife. She wants to be remembered as a mother who protected her children and a woman who survived impossible circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old was Maria Victoria Henao when she married Pablo Escobar?
Maria was only 15 years old when she married Pablo Escobar in 1976. Pablo was 26 at the time, making him eleven years older than her.
2. Does Maria Victoria Henao still have money from Pablo Escobar?
No. After Pablo died, the Colombian government took most of the family’s money and property. Maria and her children had to start over with very little money in Argentina.
3. Where does Maria Victoria Henao live now?
Maria lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she moved with her children in 1994. She changed her name and keeps a very private life away from the media.
4. Did Maria know about Pablo’s criminal activities?
At first, Maria says she did not know what Pablo really did. He told her he had legal businesses. But as years passed, she learned the truth about his drug empire.
5. What happened to Maria’s children?
Her son Juan Pablo changed his name to Sebastian Marroquin and works as an architect and author. He speaks publicly against drug violence. Her daughter Manuela lives a completely private life, and almost nothing is known about her today.
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