To be successful in life, one must not only work hard or have a lot of money, but also have the wisdom to make the right decisions. In the same way, Maria Victoria Henao, the late drug lord Pablo Escobar’s widow, devoted her life to her husband, who was labeled a master criminal.
Maria, a devoted wife, never left her husband or worked against Pablo, even after learning of his bad reputation.
Maria Victoria Henao’s Husband Pablo Escobar
In 1976, Maria Victoria Henao married Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria. Pablo was the third of seven children born to farmer Abel de Jesus Dari Escobar Echeverri and Hemilda de Los Dolores Gaviria Berrio in Colombia’s Antioquia Department.
Pablo began his criminal career and became involved in a variety of illegal activities during his adolescence. Later, he began working with Alvaro Prieto, a contraband smuggler, and had a bank deposit of COL $100 million until the age of 26. By 1975, Pablo had established his cocaine smuggling business between Colombia and Panama.
As demand for cocaine grew, Pablo organized more smuggling shipments. He eventually amassed a net worth of $30 billion.
Pablo’s power and possession earned him several enemies. Pablo escaped in 1992 and remained on the run until he was apprehended and shot on December 2, 1993. However, some of Pablo’s relatives believed he committed suicide by shooting himself through the ear.
Wiki and Wedding
Maria was born in Palmira Valle del Cauca, Colombia, in February 1961 to parents Carlos and Leonor. Due to political instability in their hometown at the time, Maria and her two brothers Carlos, known as Marios and Pastora, spent their childhood in poverty.
One of Maria’s brothers eventually began working for Pablo’s small criminal network. She met Pablo for the first time when she was 13 years old, through Maria’s brother.
Maria and Pablo fell in love over the next two years, but Maria’s parents refused to accept their relationship due to Pablo’s lower social status and the 11-year age difference.
Maria and Pablo eloped in 1976 and exchanged wedding vows against the wishes of Maria’s parents. Maria’s life changed when she married Pablo. She lived in a variety of luxurious estates, but her husband’s business also presented her with a significant risk.
Despite the ups and downs, she gave birth to her first child, Juan Pablo Escobar, on February 24, 1977, and a daughter, Manuela Escobar, in 1984.
After all of Maria’s love, he remained a devoted father to their children but failed to remain a loyal husband. He had many mistresses and was involved in numerous affairs. Virginia Vallejo, a journalist, was one of his well-known and well-documented affairs.
Even after learning of her husband’s wrongdoing, Maria never abandoned him and continued to show him her unconditional love.
Is Maria still Alive or Dead?
Maria lived a quiet life away from the spotlight after her husband died, and she fled Columbia. While on the run, Maria frequently changed her name and the identities of her children, cutting all ties with Pablo.
People didn’t know whether Maria was dead or alive because of her low profile. However, in 2000, an Argentian TV show tracked her down and arrested her for money laundering and drug trafficking. She was released without charge after 15 months in an Argentine jail.
Maria currently lives in a Bueno Aires apartment with her son and Pablo’s mother, keeping a low profile for her small family.
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