Maria Victoria Henao: Pablo Escobar’s widow who secretly got married at age 15

Maria Victoria Henao has emerged from the shadows of Pablo Escobar’s notorious reign as one of the world’s most formidable criminals. Having intimately shared her life with the infamous criminal, Henao has taken a courageous step forward, breaking her long-held silence and providing glimpses into her extraordinary journey.

From a life immersed in opulence to bearing witness to the brutal violence and criminal activities that permeated her husband’s drug empire, she also navigated the constant peril posed by rival cartels and government forces.

This piece undertakes a profound exploration of her experiences as the spouse of the slain drug kingpin, uncovering the complex and challenging moments she faced along the way.

Table of Content hide 1Maria Victoria Henao’s biography 2Maria Victoria Henao’s career 3Maria Victoria Henao’s net worth 4Maria Victoria Henao’s family 5Maria Victoria Henao age 6Maria Victoria Henao now

Maria Victoria Henao’s biography

Maria Victoria Henao, formerly known as Maria Victoria Escobar, is the widow of Pablo Escobar, the world’s most famous drug lord. She was born in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Henao was raised in a notorious neighbourhood known for illicit activities and drug-related crimes. She grew up alongside her brother, Carlos Henao, both of whom are of Hispanic origin.

Henao was married to Escobar for 17 years before he was killed by joint armed forces in 1993. Following the death of her husband, she and her children became refugees. The authorities had charged her with involvement in a narcotics cartel, which was ultimately proven incorrect.

Though she had a difficult life due to her husband’s bad reputation, she never left him and was a loyal wife until the abrupt end of their marriage.

Henaonow lives in an apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Maria Victoria Henao’s career

Henao’s career has been primarily defined by her marriage to Pablo Escobar and her subsequent life as a widow and mother. She lived a life of luxury during her marriage to Escobar and was primarily focused on raising their two children.

In recent years, she has written a book about her life with the infamous drug lord, entitled: “Mi Vida y Mi Carcel con Pablo Escobar” (“My Life and My Prison with Pablo Escobar”), which detailed her experiences with her husband and his criminal activities. She has also spoken publicly about her experiences and the impact of her husband’s criminal activities on her and her family.

The book mentions the difficulties and challenges she faced during their 17-year marriage, such as Escobar’s numerous affairs, the murder of one of his mistresses and the constant fear of retribution from his enemies. Her book also provides insights into her experiences, including being forced to have an abortion at 14 and enduring the presence of cameras installed by Pablo to secretly film women in their house. 

Speaking on the topic for the first time after her book launch, Henao revealed that several people, including families of victims, have asked her over the years why she chose to remain married to Escobar. Some of the questions asked of her include: “Why didn’t you turn him in?”, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Henao revealed that her reason for sticking by her husband was purely out of love, regardless of his atrocities.

Despite the hardships, she expressed her infatuation with Escobar and described their wedding night as a moment of unforgettable love.

Maria Victoria Henao’s net worth

Henao is currently thought to be worth $554,000, according to media reports. Due to the majority of her husband’s assets being seized by the authorities, she and her children were unable to gain access to them.

Her writing career and business ventures are, however, her current source of income.

Maria Victoria Henao’s family

Henao comes from a family that has largely remained private and away from the public eye. While there is limited information available about her immediate family, it is known that she has a brother named Carlos Henao.

Carlos Henao was married to Paty Buitrago, who was the sister of Colombian TV host and comedian, Jaime Buitrago. This connection led to Maria Victoria Henao’s introduction to Pablo Escobar, as Escobar was acquainted with Jaime Buitrago.

Henao lived a life that was intimately entwined with the rise and fall of the infamous Colombian drug lord’s criminal empire. She met Escobar when she was just 12 years old, while Escobar was 23 years old. Despite their significant age difference, the two developed a relationship that endured for many years.  

They eventually decided to wed and exchange vows.

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Henao tied the knot with Escobar in 1976, she was 15 years old at the time. The union with two children. Their first child, Juan Pablo Escobar, now recognised as Sebastian Marroquin, was born in 1977, while the couple welcomed their second child, Manuela Escobar, in 1984. The couple was married until Escobar died in 1993.

Pablo Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellin Cartel, one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in history. Born on December 1, 1949, in Colombia, Escobar rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the world through his involvement in the cocaine trade. His empire supplied a significant portion of the global cocaine market and generated immense wealth, estimated to be in billions of dollars.

However, Escobar’s reign was marked by extreme violence, corruption, and terror. He orchestrated countless acts of violence, including bombings, assassinations and the deaths of thousands of people, including politicians, judges, journalists, and innocent civilians. His ability to evade capture for many years and his Robin Hood-like persona among some segments of the population made him a complex and controversial figure.

He was eventually killed in a shootout with Colombian authorities in 1993.

Maria Victoria Henao age

Henao was born on February 15, 1961. She is currently 62 years old, as of 2023.

According to her period of birth on the astrological charts, she is a Taurus.

Maria Victoria Henao now

Henao left Colombia with her children after the passing of her husband, Pablo Escobar, and made her way to Argentina, where she maintained a low profile and eluded media scrutiny. She recently published a book on her relationship with her late husband and appeared in front of the camera to promote it and share her story. She normally has a private life, though, and does not frequently make public appearances.

As earlier mentioned, Henao resides in Buenos Aires with her architect son, who is also a lecturer. Her daughter reportedly no longer communicates with the family.

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