For three months, Imelda Marcos suffered through daily ridicule, bouts of illness and endless hours of courtroom testimony about her profligate spending.
After a federal court jury declared on Monday that she was not guilty of racketeering, obstructing justice and mail fraud, Marcos, on her 61st birthday, got down and walked the length of St. Patrick's Cathedral - on her knees.It was the sort of center stage drama Marcos relished during her years as the first lady of the Philippines, a woman who rose from obscure beginnings to call herself the "Mother of the Nation" and traveled among her people like a queen.
But despite Monday's drama, Marcos' plight appears far from over.
Problems in her homeland
The former first lady of the Philippines faces more legal troubles in her homeland, where officials plan to pursue civil, and possibly criminal, charges to recover the millions officials allege was stolen by Marcos and her late husband, Ferdinand.
But, despite calls from Philippine legislative leaders to the contrary, Philippine President Corazon Aquino is standing by her decision to ban Marcos from return to her homeland, saying her return would allow her to foment unrest designed to topple the government.
The president found herself politically isolated, with longtime supporters joining Marcos loyalists in calling for the former first lady's return. The constitution prevents her from being tried in abstentia.
Problems in Switzerland
And in Switzerland, where the Swiss government is helping Aquino's government try to have Swiss courts order the return of Marcos' assets purportedly deposited in Swiss accounts, Marcos' acquittal will likely have no effect.
The Swiss accounts involved in the case are believed to contain several hundred million dollars, although the new Philippine government originally spoke of billions.
A colorful history
Imelda Remedios Visitacion Romualdez was born July 2, 1929, to Vicente Romualdez, a lawyer sometimes portrayed as from the poorer branch of one of the Philippines' most prominent families.
A beauty contest winner, she became the wife of Ferdinand Marcos, a brilliant lawyer and self-proclaimed World War II hero. When Marcos was elected president in 1965, the couple were compared by an adoring world press to U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his first lady, Jacqueline.
In the 20 years that Marcos served as president, "Meldy" was always at his side, an inseparable part of the power structure that doled out favors and collected tribute.
She became famous for spending sprees in New York.
Critics assailed her jet-set life style while much of her country struggled in poverty. She responded by insisting that the people admired her and drew hope, from her example, of a better life.
Reaction to the verdict
Manila was calm following the verdict, but radio stations were jammed with callers weeping and hailing the verdict.
In New York, the U.S. District courtroom erupted in cheers when the verdict was announced. Marcos, who was celebrating her 61st birthday, appeared stunned, with tears streaming from her eyes.
"I am in great awe and respect for the jury system that symbolizes the soul of the American people," Marcos said.
Reached at home, the jury's forewoman, Catherine Balton, said, "I don't want to talk about it. I am sick and tired of the case. There's no evidence. It was a poorly prepared case . . . there was nothing to convince any of them that there was a case."