Elizabeth Zimmerman

Elizabeth Zimmerman
Zimmerman in November 2016
Born Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman[1]
(1948-04-14) April 14, 1948
Davao, Philippines
Education Ateneo de Davao University
Spouse(s)
Rodrigo Duterte
(m. 1973; ann. 2000)
Children Paolo Duterte
Sara Duterte
Sebastian Duterte

Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman[2] (born April 14, 1948) is the former wife of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Early life

Zimmerman was born on April 14, 1948,[3] in Davao province. Her grandfather is from Germany who migrated to the United States. She attended Ateneo de Davao and worked as a flight stewardess for Philippine Airlines.[4] Zimmerman is ethnically Jewish American.[5][6]

Politics

Zimmerman ran a bid to be elected as a city councilor of Davao City in 2001 but was unsuccessful.[2] She joined the Byaheng Du30 bus caravan which went around Visayas and Mindanao in support of her former husband's presidential bid at the 2016 Philippine presidential election.[2][7]

Personal life

Zimmerman was married to Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte (who later became President of the Philippines) for over 25 years with whom she has three children including Paolo and Sara Duterte. She filed for annulment in 1998. For a few months at the time the annulment was filed, Zimmerman had been living with her brother in Manila but occasionally visited Davao City since her children with Duterte were still studying there. Duterte has admitted that his ex-wife left him after she caught him cheating. The annulment was granted in 2000.[4] After the annulment, Zimmerman remained friends with her former husband.[8] She chose to continue using "Duterte" as part of her surname despite the annulment saying that her marriage with Duterte has never been nullified in the Roman Catholic Church.[2]

In August 2015, Zimmerman was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Lawyer on Duterte: 'It ain't over until it's over'". ABS-CBN News. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Calleja, Niña (17 April 2016). "Campaign road trip reunites Duterte, ex-wife". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Gitgano, Flornisa (15 April 2016). "Duterte drops by Cebu to see ex-wife on her 68th birthday". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "'Philandering' Rodrigo Duterte cause of marriage annulment". Rappler. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Ranada, Pia (4 October 2016). "Jewish community applauds Duterte after apology". Rappler. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  6. ↑ Mendez, Christina (5 October 2016). "Duterte: No offense meant, my ex-wife is a Jew". Philstar.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  7. ↑ Alconaba, Nico (5 April 2016). "Duterte's ex-wife joins 'Biyaheng DU30' campaign in VisMin". Inquirer Mindanao. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 Caduaya, Editha (29 November 2015). "Duterte and ex-wife: The ties that bind". Rappler. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
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