Corazon Aquino, born Maria Corazon Cojuangco on January 25, 1933, in Tarlac province, hailed from a wealthy and politically influential family. Educated abroad, she graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in New York in 1954. The following year she married Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a rising politician who would become the most prominent opposition figure to President Ferdinand Marcos.
During Ninoy’s career, Corazon devoted herself to raising their five children. Her role shifted dramatically after her husband was imprisoned by Marcos from 1972 to 1980 and later assassinated upon his return from U.S. exile in 1983. This tragic event galvanized the Philippine opposition and propelled Corazon into political leadership.
Rise to the Presidency
In February 1986, after Ferdinand Marcos unexpectedly called for snap elections, Corazon Aquino emerged as the unified opposition’s candidate. Official tallies declared Marcos the victor, but reports of widespread electoral fraud sparked outrage. Backed by mass protests known as the People Power Revolution, along with support from sections of the Catholic Church and defecting military leaders, Aquino was sworn in as the 11th President of the Philippines on February 25, 1986, the same day Marcos fled into exile.
Her victory made Aquino the first female president of the Philippines and the first woman to lead a country in Asia.
Presidency (1986–1992)
As president, Corazon Aquino restored democratic governance after two decades of authoritarian rule. In March 1986 she proclaimed a provisional constitution, and in 1987 a new constitution was ratified, re-establishing a bicameral Congress. Her government sought to dismantle the monopolies built by Marcos’s allies and initiated moderate economic reforms.
Aquino oversaw steady economic recovery in the late 1980s but struggled with persistent challenges, including mass poverty, corruption, and communist insurgency. The loyalty of the military remained uncertain, and her presidency faced several coup attempts.
Despite criticisms of her economic policies, which many considered inconsistent or insufficient to address inequality, Aquino remained a symbol of democracy and was admired internationally for her role in peaceful regime change.
Legacy and Later Life
Corazon Aquino stepped down in 1992, succeeded by her defense secretary, Fidel Ramos. In retirement, she remained an active voice in civil society, speaking out on issues of governance and democracy.
She died on August 1, 2009, in Makati, at the age of 76, after battling colon cancer. Her funeral drew millions of Filipinos, reaffirming her place as the icon of Philippine democracy.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Born in Tarlac province | Into the influential Cojuangco family |
| 1954 | Graduated from Mount St. Vincent College | Degree in French & Mathematics |
| 1955 | Married Benigno Aquino Jr. | Partnered with future opposition leader |
| 1983 | Assassination of Ninoy Aquino | Sparked mass opposition to Marcos |
| 1986 | Became President | Led People Power Revolution, restored democracy |
| 1987 | New Constitution ratified | Restored bicameral Congress |
| 1992 | Stepped down | Succeeded by Fidel Ramos |
| 2009 | Died in Makati at age 76 | Revered as Asia’s first female president |
