Corazon Aquino's Life in Photos

The Difficult Years After
Her ascendancy to the presidency was perhaps the most important event in Aquino's life. But it would not be the only drama she would endure. She would face down several attempted military coups. She delivered on her promise of closing down U.S. military bases in the country. But the Philippine economy would sputter on, set back by several factors, including the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. Yet Aquino had just enough popular goodwill to preserve the democracy that her husband gave up his life for.

After the single six-year term allowed her by the constitution, the people elected the candidate she endorsed for the presidency. Aquino died after a long battle with cancer on Aug. 1, 2009. She was 76.

• Corazon Aquino: 1986 Woman of the Year