I know some readers are too young to remember Imelda Marcos, but she is probably the most famous shoe collector of all time. Did you hear that, Kanye? ALL TIME!!! Between 1965 and 1986, Ferdinand Marcos reigned over the Philippines, while his missus managed to buy nearly 3000 pairs of shoes. After she was forced into exile, I’m sure a lot of people wondered what happened to all of her shit. Don’t worry…they’re safe. Let’s assume Mrs. Marcos took some footwear with her. After all, this is a dictator’s wife we’re talking about and she can’t just take one…not even 100. The ones left behind (about 800 pairs) ended up in the Marikina Shoe Museum, once a 19th century rice mill. The city is the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” so Imelda’s dictator designer pumps have some competition. Happily, you won’t waste billions of dollars like Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos did if you visit the place, admission is only a dollar.
P.S. Our first museum in Philippines! There’s 196 recognized countries in the world; we’ve only covered about 40 so far. I still have A LOT of work to do.
