Latest news with #Imelda
New York Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
My fabulous friendship with Imelda Marcos — the first lady of the Philippines
Close viewing of dynasty Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — called 'Bongbong' — just met with Trump, America's president. Trumps I know. Marcoses I've known. 1971, I met the Philippines' then first lady. We were guests of Iran's shah. It was a three-day celebration attended by 60 heads of state to celebrate the 2,500th birthday of his country's birth city Persepolis. I was then assistant to the Miss Universe president and brought the pageant to Manila. Not to be stopped, she built an entire new theater for it. Later, in Imelda's East 60s townhouse here in New York, she'd sit alongside a trunk of jewels playing with pearls. Preparing a party she wanted to give, I ordered food from Samir who had an East Side Asian restaurant. She told guests some king had sent it. Then, it was living in the Waldorf's huge General MacArthur Suite, she turned its living room into a church. Inviting guests like George Hamilton, Gloria Vanderbilt — plus pianist Van Cliburn — she'd stay up all night singing her favorite, 'Yellow Rose of Texas.' New York City spoke of her. Hotelier Leona Helmsley — en route to jail — once asked me how much money Imelda had. Said Leona: 'Makes no difference, I have more.' That interchange remains on my Ron Howard documentary. Early days, I remember Imelda shopping for caviar in Hong Kong. But that was then. Came exile, in Hawaii. Indictment. Imelda told me then: 'First I cried. Then I gardened because it was therapy. Even a star in the sky has a low point for every high point. I now receive visitors. I will survive. 'When we had no clothes supporters brought us money. Some only $1. One afternoon they raised $15,000. I kept a list. I'll pay everyone back someday. Legal bills, 22 cases against us, came to half a million dollars a month. The US government doesn't allow us to earn money. Nor travel. Hopes were pinned on our wonderful son, Bongbong.' Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. with his mother Imelda Marcos after taking the oath to become the president of the Philippines on June 30, 2022. Photo byVolunteers staffed their Hawaii house. Their announcement became: 'The first lady will receive you shortly.' She appeared in pearl earrings, pearl ring, simple sheath. I remembered bringing her privately — years before — to designer Pauline Trigère. This then first lady standing in bra and panty girdle tried on. For hours. Weeks later Trigère called me: 'She hasn't paid. Took 10 outfits. Sent no money.' I called Imelda. Within an hour came a messenger with an envelope. Thirty thousand dollars. Trigère became more cheerful. Time came when she had to pay $5 million bail. She claimed she didn't have it. Her friend from Hawaii, Doris Duke, came to Imelda's Waldorf suite one day accompanied by two lawyers. They handed her that money. How do I know? Because Imelda and I — friends — were told they were en route but that the money had to be a secret. Duke and her lawyers arrived. I was stashed in the living room's locked bathroom. Could they see me? No. But I heard every word. Imelda and I have spoken recently on the phone. She has her own home in Manila. She is well. She is thrilled for her son.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Imelda May backed to be next President of Ireland but has no plans to run
Singer Imelda May has revealed the widow of The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has backed her to be the next President of Ireland. The Liberties singer is a self-confessed proud Irish woman, and regularly promotes the country through her poetry and songs. But when asked about whether or not she would consider running for the Presidency, she said her pal Victoria Mary Clarke endorsed her in her house last week. She told Anna Geary, who is filling in for Ray D'Arcy on RTE Radio 1, that Victoria Mary Clarke suggested she should throw her name in the hat for the Irish Presidency. Imelda said: "I had my friend Victoria Mary Clarke, she was up at my house saying 'you have to run for president'. "I'm not going to do it. I'm madly in love with this place and the people." Shane McGowan and Victoria Mary Clarke pictured on The Late Late Show (Image: Andres Poveda) Pressed again about running for the Presidency by Geary, Imelda said jokingly: "Oh will you stop?" It comes after Imelda revealed she was hospitalised earlier this month for an unknown illness. Briefly updating fans at the beginning of her radio interview, she told Anna she was "fine" and was given the "all clear". Earlier this week, she posted pictures on her Instagram from hospital bed, praising the staff at St Vincent's Hospital for taking such good care of her. She wrote at the time: "So I ended up in St Vincent's University Hospital last week for a few days. "I'm fine now and healing well but I must say a huge thanks you to all the amazing people that took the best care of me. Absolute legends. Pictures are a few of those legends. Forever grateful. Imelda X." It is the second time Imelda has found herself in hospital in recent years. In 2022, Imelda was forced to postpone a gig after her doctor ordered her to take a break after she suffered from exhaustion. In a snap, she said at the time: "I'm getting a flood of well wishes. Thank you so much. I'm not seriously ill. "It's what I call 'road rot' lots of bits going wrong. "Too often have tests and treatments while going full pace. "Physically exhausted. Just following Drs advice and taking time to heal. I won't be long. Imelda." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Imelda May shares shock update after health scare
Irish singer Imelda May has surprised fans with an unexpected health update, revealing she recently spent a few days in hospital. Imelda revealed she was recently hospitalised just days before her 51st birthday. In the shock update shared on Instagram, the Dublin-born star thanked the staff at St Vincent's University Hospital, calling them 'absolute legends' for giving her the 'best care' during her brief stay. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Imelda May (@imeldaofficial) While she chose not to disclose the reason behind her hospitalisation, Imelda expressed heartfelt gratitude to the staff who cared for her during her stay. Taking to Instagram, the singer posted photos of some of the hospital team who brought her meals and kept her company, as well as a beautiful bouquet of flowers she received during her recovery. Sharing the update, she wrote: 'So I ended up in St Vincent's University Hospital last week for a few days. Imelda May. Pic: VIP Ireland 'I'm fine now and healing well but I must say a huge thanks you to all the amazing people that took the best care of me. 'Absolute legends. (Pictures are a few of those legends). Forever grateful. Imelda X. 'P.s. I'm fine and resting and with all your warm good vibes flying my way I'll be fighting fit for play rehearsals next week.' Fans and friends flooded the comments with well wishes and messages of support, also taking time to commend the dedicated healthcare workers who looked after the star.
Dublin Live
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Imelda May 'forever grateful' to St Vincent's staff after time in hospital
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Singer Imelda May has revealed she was hospitalised last week. The mother-of-one shared with her followers on social media that she ended up being hospitalised in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. The Dubliner posted a few pictures of her time in her room. Captioning a series of pictures of staff from St Vincent's Hospital who took care of her, Imelda said: "So I ended up in St Vincent's University Hospital last week for a few days." Despite choosing not to disclose what happened to her, Imelda went on to reassure fans that she is now "fine" and recovering well. "I'm fine now and healing well but I must say a huge thanks you to all the amazing people that took the best care of me. Absolute legends. Pictures are a few of those legends. Forever grateful. Imelda X." It is the second time Imelda has found herself in hospital in recent years. In 2022, Imelda was forced to postpone a gig after her doctor ordered her to take a break after she suffered from exhaustion. In a snap, she said at the time: "I'm getting a flood of well wishes. Thank you so much. I'm not seriously ill. "It's what I call 'road rot' lots of bits going wrong. Too often have tests and treatments while going full pace. "Physically exhausted. Just following Drs advice and taking time to heal. I won't be long. Imelda." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I ended up in hospital', reveals Irish singer in shock health update as star hails ‘absolute legends' for ‘best care'
IRISH singer Imelda May has given fans a shock health update as she revealed she recently had a brief hospital stint. The popular singer has one child, 13-year-old Violet, who she shares with her ex-husband Darrel Higham. 3 Imelda May recently had a brief hospital stint Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The 51-year-old recently spent a few days in St Vincent's University Hospital 3 The Dublin-born singer took to her Instagram to thank the hospital's staff Credit: Instagram The Dublin-born singer spent much of last week in St Vincent's University Hospital for a brief health scare. The health scare came just days before she was set to celebrate her 51st birthday. Although she didn't reveal what caused her to end up in hospital, Imelda took time to thank all the hospital staff who cared for her. Taking to her Instagram, Imelda shared pics of different staff who brought her food and kept her company during her stay. Read more on imelda may She also showed the gorgeous bunch of flowers that were gifted to her during her stay. Sharing the update with fans, she wrote: "So I ended up in St Vincent's University Hospital last week for a few days. "I'm fine now and healing well but I must say a huge thanks you to all the amazing people that took the best care of me. "Absolute legends. (Pictures are a few of those legends). Forever grateful. Imelda X. Most read in Celebrity "P.s. I'm fine and resting and with all your warm good vibes flying my way I'll be fighting fit for play rehearsals next week." Friends and fans of the singer flocked to her comment section to praise the hard-working nurses and to wish Imelda a speedy recovery. Imelda May on Late Late Toy Show RTE presenter Poet Nikita Gill gushed: "So sorry to hear you've been unwell, Imelda, hope you recover well and quickly! x." Another fan added: "Get better Imelda May. We need your brilliance." BIG GIG Recently Imelda was Imelda split with Darrel back in 2015 — after being married for more than 13 years. Darrel, 55, and Imelda reunited on stage in early May in front of 10,000 punters at the Viva Rockabilly weekend in the US. Darrel told The Irish Sun: 'I was delighted to be back up on stage playing with Imelda again. 'It was a special show where
