At 33, Virginia Vallejo was part of the media elite. A renowned anchorwoman and socialite, and a model who appeared on magazine covers worldwide, Vallejo was the darling of Colombia's most powerful politicians and billionaires. Meeting Pablo Escobar in 1983, then becoming his mistress for many years, she witnessed the rise of a drug empire that was characterized by Escobar's far-reaching political corruption, his extraordinary wealth, and a network of violet crime that lasted until his death in 1993. In this highly personal and insightful story, Vallejo characterizes the duality of Escobar. His charm and charisma as a benefactor to many Colombians contrast with the repulsiveness of his criminal actions as a tyrannical terrorist and enemy of many world leaders. Told from the perspective of the present day, and reflecting on her cooperation with the US Department of Justice in 2006, as she testified against high-ranking Colombian ministers on trial for conspiracy and murder, Vallejo offers a compelling work of both intimate reflection and critical journalism—a unique perspective on the Colombian drug wars and the endlessly fascinating figure of Pablo Escobar.
