Virginia Vallejo Reflects on Tumultuous Romance with Pablo escobar, Expresses Both Love and Hatred
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A former Colombian television personality and model, virginia vallejo, at 76, has publicly addressed her five-year relationship with notorious drug trafficker Pablo Escobar – a connection she insists was one of equals, despite his infamy.
Virginia Vallejo, currently living in exile in Miami, recently opened up about her life and her complex feelings toward Escobar in an interview with Teh Informants. Despite the immense controversy surrounding her association with the man considered “the worst criminal in the history of Colombia,” vallejo maintains she harbors no regret for having loved him. “I never regret having loved a man. Never,” she emphasized, extending this sentiment to all past relationships, “Neither from my husbands who were frightening, nor from Paul who became a monster, nor of all the men who left for X or Y reason.”
However, Vallejo’s perspective has dramatically shifted over time. While she once felt affection for escobar, she now admits to a “deep hatred” toward him. This evolution in emotion underscores the lasting impact of her entanglement with one of the world’s moast perilous criminals.
Defining the relationship: Beyond “Lover”
Vallejo is adamant about reframing the historical narrative surrounding her connection to Escobar. She rejects the label of “lover,” asserting that thier relationship was built on mutual attraction and respect. “I was never Pablo Escobar’s lover,” she stated. “I was one of the lovers and he was one of my lovers. We had a relationship in the same terms of peers.” This insistence on equality challenges the conventional portrayal of Escobar as a dominant figure exploiting those around him.
The Genesis of a controversial Romance
The relationship began in 1982, when Vallejo visited Escobar’s Naples farm with her then-boyfriend, AnÃbal Turbay, nephew of former Colombian President Julio César Turbay.According to vallejo, the initial attraction wasn’t mutual, but “Paul conquered me,” especially after he heroically saved a bird’s life in the river.
The pair maintained a secret affair, primarily meeting at Escobar’s penthouse in Naples. Vallejo acknowledged knowing about Escobar’s involvement in the drug trade but claimed she wasn’t concerned with the source of his wealth.Instead, she was drawn to “What he does with that and, in addition, his plans to take out that city (MedellÃn) of poverty.” This suggests Vallejo was initially swayed by Escobar’s purported philanthropic ambitions.
From Colombia to Exile: A Life in Witness Protection
Vallejo’s life took a dramatic turn in 2006 when she left Colombia on a DEA plane on July 18th, becoming a protected witness after providing testimony against the cartels and their political connections. She now resides in a senior living facility in miami, and firmly states, “I will never return to Colombia. I don’t miss anything.”
A Regret Beyond Escobar: The Missed Prospect
Interestingly, Vallejo’s greatest regret isn’t related to her relationship with Escobar, but rather a missed opportunity for financial gain. She recalled a moment when Escobar offered to grant her any wish, to which she responded, “I don’t wont anything, Pablo, from Bruce.” Reflecting on this decision, she now believes she should have asked for everything.
Currently, Vallejo is channeling her experiences into fiction, having recently completed The Amazing Gold Country, the first of three books inspired by “Brushy of the reality that had to live.” Her story serves as a compelling reminder of the complex and frequently enough contradictory nature of love, power, and survival in the shadow of a criminal empire.
