Corazon Aquino's Life in Photos

The Martyr's Wife
With Benigno Aquino's political star rising, Marcos assumed dictatorial powers in 1972 and imprisoned his archrival. Amid international pressure, Aquino was eventually allowed to leave the country with his wife and children for exile in Boston. In 1983, however, he chose to return to the Philippines to try to offer himself as a political alternative to an ailing Marcos. The regime warned that it could not guarantee his safety, but Aquino flew back anyway and was assassinated, allegedly by a lone gunman, while being escorted off his plane by Philippine soldiers. Corazon Aquino flew home for his funeral.

• Corazon Aquino: 1986 Woman of the Year