Valeria Velez (?-1993) was a Colombian journalist who had a romantic relationship with Medellin Cartel boss Pablo Escobar from 1981 to 1991. She was murdered by Los Pepes for being “Pablo’s whore” in 1993.
![Pablo Escobar Girlfriend Journalist Pablo Escobar Girlfriend Journalist](https://flashtrends724.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/download-2024-07-02T111636.249.png)
In 1983, Virginia Vallejo featured Pablo Escobar on her TV show and painted him as a man of the people. For the next five years, she briefly enjoyed the spoils of life in the cartel.
Bio Data and Personal Information
Bio | Details |
---|---|
Name | Virginia Vallejo |
Born | August 26, 1949 |
Occupation | Journalist, TV Personality |
Known For | Romantic relationship with Pablo Escobar |
Notable Works | “Amando a Pablo, Odiando a Escobar” |
Relationship Duration | 1981 – 1987 |
Fate | Survived Escobar’s era, later resurfaced in the US |
Website | Virginia Vallejo Official |
Career Highlights
Career | Details |
---|---|
TV Show | Featured Pablo Escobar, skyrocketed in ratings |
Role in Cartel | Confidante and lover of Pablo Escobar |
Books | “Amando a Pablo, Odiando a Escobar” |
Publications | Various articles exposing cartel and political ties |
Impact | Provided insider view into Escobar’s operations |
Post-Escobar Life | Faced ostracism, later moved to the US |
A Whirlwind Romance
In 1982, Virginia Vallejo was a national sensation in her home country of Colombia. The 33-year-old socialite, journalist, and TV personality had just scored her own TV show after starring in a series of ads for Medias Di Lido pantyhose — which captivated the nation and brought her to the attention of none other than Pablo Escobar. Throughout their whirlwind romance that ensued, Vallejo became one of the kingpin’s most precious confidantes. She was the first journalist to get him in front of a camera and enjoyed the spoils of life in the world’s most powerful cartel.
That is, until their affair came to a dramatic end — and so did her celebrity. Velez and Escobar would continue to have a relationship over the next few years, and Velez’s ratings went through the roof. However, by 1990 she was being beaten by Diana Turbay, the daughter of former president Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, who was seen as a link between the upper and lower classes. Velez told Escobar that Turbay was being rated higher than she was, leading to Escobar having Turbay kidnapped; ultimately, Turbay would be killed by the Search Bloc in a collateral damage incident in January 1991.
The Affair’s Dramatic End
Vallejo’s relationship with Escobar ended in 1987. According to Pablo Escobar’s son, the affair ended badly after Escobar learned he was not her only lover. Escobar Jr. recalled that the last time he saw Vallejo was outside the gate of one of his father’s estates, where she remained sobbing for hours because the guards refused to let her in on their boss’ orders.
Virginia Vallejo, unfortunately, found that as the power and popularity of her former lover waned, so did her own. She wound up being shunned by her former elite friends and blacklisted from high social circles. She disappeared into relative anonymity until she suddenly resurfaced in the United States in July of 1996.
The Downfall
Valeria Velez was contacted by Pablo Escobar’s wife Maria Henao, who had a strong disliking for her, in 1993. Henao wanted Velez to open contact between her and Escobar, and Velez met Escobar at one of his houses, reuniting with him. Velez decided to do Escobar a favor by bringing a radio to Henao at the apartment where Henao and the family were interned by the government, and she did so for Pablo’s sake.
Velez left the apartment after staying for a few minutes to make it seem as if she had interviewed Henao, but she would be killed by Los Pepes as she left. Her body, along with those of her news van driver and her cameraman, were found in their news van outside of the hotel, with a sign saying “Pablo’s whore” hanging from the door.
Valeria Velez’s Relationship with Pablo Escobar
Relationship | Details |
---|---|
Duration | 1981 – 1991 |
Significant Events | Helped boost Escobar’s public image |
Role in Cartel | Trusted confidante and lover |
Public Image | Rose to fame through TV show |
Downfall | Murdered by Los Pepes in 1993 |
Legacy and Impact
Valeria Velez’s story is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who become entangled with the world of organized crime. Her rise to fame, tumultuous relationship with Pablo Escobar, and tragic end highlight the volatile and dangerous life within the Medellin Cartel. As a journalist and TV personality, Velez initially enjoyed the spoils of her association with Escobar, but her eventual downfall underscores the transient and perilous nature of such alliances.
Vallejo’s relationship with Escobar and subsequent ostracism by Colombian elites illustrate the complex interplay of power, crime, and media. Her later years, marked by anonymity and resurfacing in the United States, reflect the long-lasting impact of her involvement with one of the world’s most notorious drug lords. The legacy of Valeria Velez serves as a cautionary tale about the seductive yet perilous allure of power and the high cost of living in the shadows of criminal empires.