Ana Mae Díaz Explained

Ana Mae Diaz
Birth Date:1967 5, mf=y
Order:First Lady of Panama
Term Label:In role
Term Start:June 11, 1990
Term End:September 1, 1994
Predecessor:Mariela de Delvalle
Successor:Dora Boyd de Perez Balladares
Spouse:Guillermo Endara
(m. 1990–2009)

Ana Mae Diaz de Endara (born May 16, 1967)[1] was the First Lady of Panama from 1990 - 1994.

A Panamanian of Chinese origin, Diaz met future president Guillermo Endara in September 1989, while he was on hunger strike to protest the autocratic military rule of Manuel Noriega.[2] Diaz was a law student at the time.[3] The former First Lady-desdignate, 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.[4] International observers had reported Endara to be the clear leader in the May presidential election,[5] and — although he had earlier showed discomfort with US patronage — during the US invasion of Panama in December, he was sworn in as president from the safety of a US military base in the Canal Zone.[6]

Panamanian newspapers began to publish photographs of Diaz and Endara together in January 1990, and Endara told press the pair were "going out".

First Lady of Panama

The pair married on June 11, 1990, within 9 months of having first met, in a wedding attended by the ambassadors of various nations.[7] Endara was reportedly so happy in the marriage that he would even be described as allegedly leaving cabinet meetings for a "quick cuddle".

Unsympathetic press coverage; and later life

Due in part to the couple's difference in ages and weights - Endara was in his mid-fifties, already a grandfather, and — despite his hunger strike — known for his weight; Ana Mae Díaz was 23 - the marriage received widespread coverage and mockery in the Panamanian press, including a new nickname for Endara, El Gordo Feliz ("Happy Fatty").[8] [9]

Endara ran for president again in 2004 and in 2009, placing second and a distant third, respectively.[10] [11] On September 28, 2009, he died at age 73 at his home in Panama City, of a heart attack.

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/politica/081028/ana-mae-diaz-endara Ana Mae Díaz de Endara
  2. Web site: U.S. Troop Visibility Reduced in Panama;As Tensions Ease, Attention Turns to President's Love Life . https://web.archive.org/web/20160309194219/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1106233.html . dead . March 9, 2016 . William Branigin . January 21, 1990 . The Washington Post . August 31, 2012.
  3. News: Panama president, law student marry . Associated Press . June 11, 1990 . Toledo Blade . August 31, 2012 .
  4. Web site: Guillermo Endara . https://archive.today/20130103073838/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20832533.html . dead . January 3, 2013 . Phil Davison . October 2, 2009 . The Independent . August 31, 2012.
  5. Web site: Endara's Coalition Faces Difficult Test . Associated Press . December 21, 1989 . Albany Times Union . December 6, 2012 . https://archive.today/20121206003526/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156057540.html . August 31, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  6. Web site: Panama's 3-Party Rule Turns Into 3-Ring Circus . Kenneth Freed . May 6, 1991 . Los Angeles Times . August 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084350/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-06/news/mn-943_1_political-party . August 31, 2012 . live . mdy .
  7. Web site: Panama President Loves His New Bride . June 11, 1990 . Tuscaloosa News . August 31, 2012 .
  8. News: Guillermo Endara . The Telegraph . August 31, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113022301/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/6255669/Guillermo-Endara.html . November 13, 2012 . October 2, 2009 . live . mdy .
  9. Web site: Scandals end Endara presidency. https://web.archive.org/web/20140928141601/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-45029511.html. dead. September 28, 2014. October 1, 1994. Caribbean Update. August 31, 2012. subscription.
  10. Web site: Not his father's son? Panama's new president.(Martin Torrijos) . https://web.archive.org/web/20140928140916/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116378324.html . dead . September 28, 2014 . May 8, 2004 . The Economist . August 31, 2012.
  11. Web site: Supermarket magnate wins Panama presidential vote . https://web.archive.org/web/20140920162932/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D97V9BIG0.html . dead . September 20, 2014 . Juan Zamorano . May 4, 2009 . Associated Press . August 31, 2012.

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