Who is Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, the Philippines’ new first lady?

Louise Araneta-Marcos is widely believed to have been the architect of husband Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jnr’s campaign for the presidency

The 62-year-old lawyer, nicknamed ‘Liza’, comes from an elite family linked to the political party that helped end the rule of Marcos Jnr’s dictator-father

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Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, pictured at the House of Representatives in Quezon City in May. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:02pm, 27 Jun 2022Updated: 9:00am, 28 Jun 2022

The Philippines’ new first lady Louise Araneta-Marcos insists she has no interest in joining her husband’s government – but observers say she is likely to hold major sway.

The 62-year-old lawyer, nicknamed “Liza”, shuns the public spotlight and rarely gives media interviews.

But she is no shrinking violet.

Tough, smart and used to getting her way, Liza is widely believed to have been the architect of husband Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr’s campaign for the top job, after sidelining his influential mother Imelda and older sister Imee, who is a senator.

And Liza – who did not respond to requests for an interview – is likely to retain her clout after he is sworn into office on Thursday, according to observers and people who know her.

“Liza is tough, in many ways she’s BBM’s backbone,” said Michael Marcos Keon, a cousin of Marcos Jnr and mayor of Laoag City, the capital of the family’s northern stronghold Ilocos Norte province. BBM are Marcos Jr’s initials.