Manuela Escobar is the only daughter of Pablo Escobar, a former Colombian drug lord and narco-terrorist known as “The King of Cocaine.” Her life has been filled with unique and thrilling experiences that most people could only imagine in their wildest dreams.
As her father’s favorite child, Pablo Escobar – considered the wealthiest criminal in history – would go to great lengths to fulfill even the most trivial of Manuela’s wishes.
Who is Manuela Escobar?
Manuela Escobar was born in Panama on May 24, 1984, as the youngest of two children to Pablo Escobar and Maria Victoria Henao. Manuela’s life was vastly different from that of other children her age. She was homeschooled to protect her from her father’s enemies, rather than attend a public school.
Manuela experienced a near-death situation on January 13, 1988, when an attempted murder was made on her father, resulting in a car bomb explosion at their Monaco apartment building.
Despite his reputation as a drug lord, Pablo had a soft spot for his daughter, whom he adored and would go to great lengths to keep safe. In the early 1990s, while the family was hiding from Colombian authorities, he reportedly burned $2 million just to keep Manuela warm.
In another instance, when Manuela Escobar asked her father for a unicorn, instead of telling her that unicorns don’t exist, he instructed his employees to purchase a horse and staple a horn on its head, and attach some wings to its back. Unfortunately, the poor horse later died from a gruesome infection.
Life after Pablo Escobar’s death
Manuela was nine years old when her father, Pablo Escobar, was killed in 1993. Before his death, she was homeschooled by private tutors but later attended public school, finished her education, and pursued a degree in public relations.
Manuela’s childhood was marked by constant movement and insecurity due to her father’s involvement in the criminal underworld. Even after his death, the threat to her family persisted, as the cartels demanded money and they were not welcomed by other countries. Her mother, Maria, even sought assistance from the Vatican, but without success.
Maria even begged the Vatican for assistance, but without success. It wasn’t until 1995, two years after Pablo’s death, that Manuela, Juan Pablo, and Maria were able to make their way to Mozambique, then to Brazil, Ecuador, South Africa, Peru, and finally Argentina. In Argentina, they started their lives under new names. They were only accepted in Argentina because their new identities concealed their true identities.
Manuela and her family were able to conceal their new identities for a long time while living in Argentina. Her mother, Maria, even went on to become a successful real estate agent.
However, in 1999, their identities were revealed and a money laundering suit was filed against them. Although the family was acquitted because there was no evidence against them, the event was traumatic for Manuela, who refused to attend school. From then on, her mother homeschooled her.
After the arrest in 1999, Maria reentered the spotlight, Victoria Eugenia Hena, who now goes by the name “Victoria Henao Vallejos”, wrote a book about Pablo named Pablo and Me, “The closest you’ll ever get to the most infamous drug kingpin in modern history, told by the person who stood by his side”
Where is Manuela Escobar now?
Manuela’s brother has given interviews to the media in recent years, but she has chosen to maintain a low profile and avoid the spotlight. It is reported that she changed her name to “Juana Manuela Marroquin Santos” and has distanced herself from her homeland. She is not active on any social media platforms and avoids media attention. Notably, Manuela Escobar is the only member of Pablo Escobar’s family who has never been accused of a crime. She has chosen to maintain a private and low-profile life since her father’s death.
Following the arrest of several family members in 1999, Manuela Escobar experienced several depressive episodes and her mental health appeared to have deteriorated. According to her brother, Huan Pablo (now known as Sebastian Marroquin), Manuela attempted suicide once. Currently, she reportedly lives with her brother and his wife for her own safety.
Manuela lives in constant fear of being discovered, as she believes that anyone who learns of her identity will associate her with her father’s crimes and that she may one day suffer the same fate as her father.
At 39 years old, it appears unlikely that she will come out of the shadows, break her silence, and face the public again.
Now that you’ve read about the life of Manuela Escobar, read about the Children of Serial killers and where are they now?
