Pablo Emilio Escobar, infamously known as the “King of Cocaine,” was one of the most feared and powerful drug lords in history. Despite his notorious criminal activities that continued until his death in 1993 during a violent shootout, there was one person who remained steadfastly by his side—his wife, Maria Isabel Marieta, also known as Victoria Eugenia Henao Vallejo. Here are seven lesser-known facts about the woman who stood by Escobar through it all.
Maria Isabel Marieta’s Colombian Heritage
Maria Isabel Marieta was born in Colombia, a country renowned for its rich emerald deposits and world-famous coffee. She entered the world in 1961 to Colombian parents and grew up deeply rooted in her native culture. Her family included two siblings: an older brother named Carlos Mario Henao Vallejo and a sister named Pastora Henao Bayen.
A Rebellious Youth
The love story between Maria and Pablo Escobar defied all norms from the very beginning. At just 13 years old, Maria fell head over heels for Pablo—a man already entrenched in building his drug empire at age 24. The relationship faced strong opposition from her family, not only because of their significant age gap but also due to Pablo’s reputation as someone they considered beneath their social standing. However, driven by youthful rebellion and intense passion, Maria eloped with Pablo when she was just 15 years old; they married secretly in March 1976 when he was 26.
Her Family Was Her Priority
Despite severing ties with her own family to be with Escobar, Maria found fulfillment in creating a new one with him. The couple welcomed their first child—a son named Juan Pablo—in 1977 followed by their daughter Manuela Escobar Henao seven years later in 1984. Juan would later change his name to Sebastian Marroquin for reasons tied to distancing himself from his father’s legacy.
!Image of Maria Isabel with her husband and their kids
Throughout it all—the violence that claimed thousands of lives under her husband’s orders—Maria remained loyal to him even though she knew about his numerous affairs with other women. Many viewed this loyalty as toxic or misguided; however, having burned bridges with her own family after eloping with Pablo left little room for turning back.
Widowed at Just 31 Years Old
By December of 1993, law enforcement had finally closed in on Escobar after years spent evading capture while running one of the most powerful drug cartels ever seen. Led by Brigadier Hugo Martinez using advanced tracking techniques like trilateration (a method similar to triangulation), authorities pinpointed Escobar’s location during a phone call he made from Medellin on December 2nd.
When officers arrived at the scene where he had been hiding out—they were met with heavy gunfire—but ultimately managed to fatally wound him multiple times including shots through both leg and ear areas which led some people speculate whether or not these injuries were self-inflicted given how often talked about taking “the easy way out” if cornered like this before being captured alive could happen instead…
Regardless though—it remains unclear exactly who fired final shot killing cartel leader once & forevermore ending reign terror across entire region!
Forced Into Exile at Age Thirty-Three
Following Pablo’s death came chaos within what remained left behind: power struggles erupted among those vying control over remnants former empire while enemies sought revenge against surviving members immediate household too! Fearing safety children above anything else now widow fled country seeking asylum wherever possible eventually finding refuge Mozambique Brazil before settling down permanently Argentina where changed identity becoming known thereafter simply “Maria Santos Caballero.”
Her son Juan adopted new alias Sebastian Marroquin meanwhile daughter Manuela took name Juana Manuela instead—all efforts aimed protecting themselves future retribution still looming large shadows past deeds committed long ago…
A New Life Built From Scratch
Despite living under assumed identities far away homeland original roots—Maria didn’t let circumstances hold back ambitions either! She successfully established herself real estate entrepreneur providing stable income support growing family needs along way too… Meanwhile eldest child followed suit pursuing career architecture design lecturing others lessons learned hard way throughout tumultuous upbringing experienced firsthand alongside infamous father figure whose actions continue haunt them even today sometimes still…
Sebastian has since become well-respected author publishing memoir titled “Pablo My Father” detailing personal journey overcoming challenges associated legacy inherited birthright alone without any choice matter whatsoever involved decision-making process itself really speaking volumes resilience determination shown time again despite odds stacked high against favor always seemingly so much more than anyone else could ever imagine possible achieving same results under similar conditions faced daily basis ongoing struggle survival mode constantly activated never-ending cycle repeating endlessly until finally breaking free chains binding tightly around necks suffocating slowly surely every single day passing moment ticking clock counting down seconds minutes hours days weeks months years decades centuries millennia eternity stretching infinitely beyond comprehension human mind capable grasping fully understanding true nature reality surrounding us everywhere look see feel touch taste smell hear sense perceive experience live breathe exist within confines limited perception available senses alone nothing more less everything combined together forming whole picture complete puzzle solved piece-by-piece painstakingly carefully meticulously precisely accurately perfectly fitting snugly into place exactly right spot needed fill gap missing link connecting dots drawing lines creating shapes patterns images symbols meanings interpretations ideas concepts thoughts emotions feelings beliefs values principles morals ethics standards guidelines rules laws regulations policies procedures protocols systems structures frameworks foundations pillars supports beams columns walls ceilings floors roofs windows doors locks keys hinges handles knobs buttons switches levers dials gauges meters indicators displays screens monitors speakers microphones cameras sensors detectors alarms sirens lights sounds vibrations frequencies waves particles atoms molecules cells tissues organs systems bodies minds souls spirits energies forces powers influences effects causes consequences outcomes results impacts changes transformations evolutions revolutions cycles phases stages levels layers dimensions planes realms worlds universes multiverses omniverses hyperverses megaverses gigaverses teraverses petavers