"Imelda, whose birthday is July 2, will forever be remembered for the dazzling jewels and 1,220 pairs of shoes she left behind in the presidential palace after the "people's power" revolt that toppled Marcos's authoritarian regime in 1986 and forced them into exile in Hawaii. She said the diamond ring was given to her by Ferdinand 55 years ago on their engagement."

Among other citations for the Marco's abuse of power was her shoe collection, estimated at the time to bue upwards of 5,000 pair. She explained it somewhat reasonably.

She said that Filipinos are great craftsmen and women, often running small factories at home and shoes are one of their specialties. Many of them would send her shoes so they could claim they supplied shoes to the Marco's.

Imelda added, reasonably, that even though the vast majority didn't fit her, she couldn't very well send them back.

I thought that was an interesting explanation for something which had been used to smear the woman. Now, she may have had it coming, but not for that.

Arf