In an interview, María Isabel Santos, widow of Pablo Escobar, reflects on her life with the notorious drug lord 25 years after his death. She reveals a painful secret about an abortion she had at a young age due to her naivety and Escobar's influence. Despite societal taboos and her family's disapproval of their relationship, she eloped with Escobar at 15. She describes their humble beginnings and gradual rise to wealth, including life in the Monaco Building mansion and the famous Hacienda Nápoles.
After Escobar's death, María Isabel faced immense challenges, including negotiating with cartels for her family's safety and changing their identities to escape Escobar's legacy. She expresses gratitude towards other women in Escobar's life for allowing her time with her children and denies having any of Escobar's alleged hidden wealth.
María Isabel shares her complex feelings towards Escobar, acknowledging the damage he caused but also the love for their children. The interview touches on themes of regret, resilience, and the ongoing impact of Escobar's actions on his family's life.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. María Isabel Santos was the widow of Pablo Escobar Gaviria.
2. María Isabel was 12 years old when she met Pablo Escobar in the La Paz neighborhood of Envigado.
3. Pablo Escobar was 11 years older than María Isabel.
4. María Isabel's family did not want her to have a relationship with Pablo Escobar due to their age difference.
5. María Isabel and Pablo Escobar got married when María Isabel was 15 years old.
6. María Isabel had an abortion at a young age, which was a secret she kept hidden for a long time.
7. María Isabel and Pablo Escobar had two children, Sebastián and Manuela.
8. María Isabel's children were devastated when they found out about their father's activities.
9. María Isabel decided to leave her family behind and start a new life.
10. María Isabel met Pablo Escobar at a young age and was drawn to his charismatic personality.
11. María Isabel's relationship with Pablo Escobar was very conflictive, and she eventually ran away to marry him.
12. María Isabel and Pablo Escobar's first home was a small room lent to them by a sister.
13. María Isabel's parents lent her a double bed for their new home.
14. María Isabel and Pablo Escobar eventually moved into a mansion, which was a significant change for them.
15. Pablo Escobar was murdered, but María Isabel believes he committed suicide.
16. María Isabel was in contact with Pablo Escobar just before his death.
17. After Pablo Escobar's death, María Isabel and her children went into hiding to protect themselves from his enemies.
18. María Isabel negotiated with cartels to protect her family's life.
19. María Isabel and her children had to change their identity to avoid detection.
20. María Isabel's children struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts due to their circumstances.
21. María Isabel and her children eventually settled in Argentina.
22. María Isabel has written a book about her life with Pablo Escobar.
23. María Isabel still communicates with Pablo Escobar's spirit and has forgiven him for his mistakes.
24. María Isabel believes that if Pablo Escobar were alive, she and her children would have been killed a long time ago.
25. María Isabel has been discriminated against in social environments due to her association with Pablo Escobar.