Ana Mae Díaz
| Ana Mae Diaz | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Panama | |
|
In office June 11, 1990 – September 1, 1994 | |
| Succeeded by | Dora Boyd de Perez Balladares |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1966 |
| Spouse(s) |
Guillermo Endara (m. 1990-2009) |
Ana Mae Diaz de Endara (born c. 1966)[1] was the First Lady of Panama from 1990–1994.
A Panamanian of Chinese origin,[2] Diaz met future president Guillermo Endara in September 1989, while he was on hunger strike to protest the autocratic military rule of Manuel Noriega.[1] Diaz was a law student at the time.[3] Marcela Endara, Guillermo's wife of 28 years, had died in June of a heart attack while Endara was hospitalized due to a beating by Noriega's forces.[2] International observers had reported Endara to be the clear leader in the May presidential election,[4] and during the US invasion of Panama in December, he was sworn in as president.[5]
Panamanian newspapers began to publish photographs of Diaz and Endara together in January 1990, and Endara told press the pair were "going out".[1] The pair married on June 11, 1990, in a wedding attended by the ambassadors of various nations.[6] Endara was reportedly so happy in the marriage that he would even leave cabinet meetings for a "quick cuddle". Due in part to the couple's difference in ages and weights—Endara was in his mid-fifties and known for his weight—the marriage received widespread coverage and mockery in the Panamanian press, including a new nickname for Endara, El Gordo Feliz ("Happy Fatty").[7]
Endara ran for president again in 2004 and in 2009, placing second and a distant third, respectively.[8][9] On September 28, 2009, he died at age 73 at his home in Panama City, of a heart attack.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 William Branigin (January 21, 1990). "U.S. Troop Visibility Reduced in Panama;As Tensions Ease, Attention Turns to President's Love Life". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- 1 2 Phil Davison (October 2, 2009). "Guillermo Endara". The Independent. Retrieved August 31, 2012.(subscription required)
- ↑ "Panama president, law student marry". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. June 11, 1990. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ↑ "Endara's Coalition Faces Difficult Test". Albany Times Union. Associated Press. December 21, 1989. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012. (subscription required)
- ↑ Kenneth Freed (May 6, 1991). "Panama's 3-Party Rule Turns Into 3-Ring Circus". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ↑ "Panama President Loves His New Bride". Tuscaloosa News. June 11, 1990. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- 1 2 "Guillermo Endara". The Telegraph. October 2, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ↑ "Not his father's son? Panama's new president.(Martin Torrijos)". The Economist. May 8, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.(subscription required)
- ↑ Juan Zamorano (May 4, 2009). "Supermarket magnate wins Panama presidential vote". Associated Press. Retrieved August 31, 2012.(subscription required)