Emma Coronel Aispuro is a former beauty queen, a fashion entrepreneur, and the wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the most notorious drug lords in history. She has been in the spotlight since she married Guzmán in 2007, when she was only 18 years old and he was 50. She has been loyal to him throughout his multiple arrests, escapes, and trials, and has also faced legal troubles of her own. In this article, we will explore her life story, her relationship with Guzmán, and her role in the drug-trafficking world.
Early Life and Family
Emma Modesta Coronel Aispuro was born on July 2, 1989, in San Francisco, California, to Blanca Estela Aispuro Aispuro and Inés Coronel Barreras. Her father was a cattle rancher and a deputy of Guzmán, who was sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury for his involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel. Her uncle was Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, another prominent drug trafficker who was killed by the Mexican authorities in 2010.
She grew up in the remote Durango village of La Angostura, where she attended a local school until the sixth grade. She later moved to Canelas, another town in Durango, where she participated in the 2007 Coffee and Guava Festival beauty pageant. It was there that she met Guzmán, who traveled to Canelas to see her. They reportedly agreed to marry that same day.
Marriage and Motherhood
Emma Coronel Aispuro and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán tied the knot on July 2, 2007, on her 18th
birthday, in a lavish ceremony in the mountains of Durango. The wedding was attended by hundreds of guests, including local politicians and drug lords, and was protected by armed guards. Guzmán, who was already married twice before, reportedly gave her a mansion and a luxury car as wedding gifts.
The couple had twin daughters, Emali and Maria Joaquina, who were born on August 15, 2011, at
Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, California. Coronel, who holds dual citizenship of the United States and Mexico, was able to travel to the US to give birth, despite her husband being wanted by both countries. She later said that she wanted her daughters to have American passports and a better future.
Coronel has been a devoted wife and mother, supporting Guzmán throughout his turbulent career and raising their daughters away from the violence and danger of the drug world. She
has also been his faithful companion, visiting him in prison, attending his court hearings, and communicating with him through letters and lawyers. She has said that she loves him unconditionally and that he is a good husband and
father.
Fashion and Fame
Emma Coronel Aispuro has also pursued her own interests and ambitions, especially in the field of fashion. She has been known for her glamorous and elegant style, often wearing designer clothes, jewelry, and accessories. She has also been active on social media, where she has amassed thousands of followers and fans. She has used her platform to share her personal and professional life, as well as to promote her clothing line, El Chapo Guzmán .
She launched her fashion brand in 2019, inspired by her husband’s image and legacy. The brand features clothing and accessories with Guzmán’s name, initials, and signature moustache. Coronel said that she wanted to honor her husband and his achievements, as well as to create a source of income for herself and her daughters. She also said that she had Guzmán’s permission and support to use his name and likeness.
Coronel’s fashion venture has been controversial, as some critics have accused her of glorifying and profiting from a criminal and a murderer. Others have praised her for being an independent and entrepreneurial woman, who has overcome the challenges and stigma of being a drug lord’s wife. Coronel has defended her brand, saying that it is not intended to offend or harm anyone, but to express her creativity and passion.
Legal Troubles and Prison Sentence
Emma Coronel Aispuro’s life took a dramatic turn in February 2021, when she was arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, on charges of conspiracy to unlawfully import and distribute illegal drugs, money laundering, and transacting business with a significant foreign narcotics trafficker designated under the Kingpin Act. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
alleged that she had played an active role in the Sinaloa Cartel, helping Guzmán run his empire, smuggle drugs, and escape from prison.
The FBI’s evidence included a handwritten letter from Guzmán, instructing Coronel on how to manage his affairs, as well as the statements of two unnamed cooperating witnesses who had worked with Guzmán.
The FBI also claimed that Coronel had voluntarily surrendered and was seeking a plea deal, which was denied by her lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman. Coronel was held in solitary confinement at the Alexandria City Jail, where she spent 22 hours per day in a small cell with nothing to do but read.
On June 10, 2021, Coronel pleaded guilty to the three counts against her, in exchange for a reduced sentence and the dismissal of other charges. She admitted that she had conspired with Guzmán and others to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana in the US, and that she had helped him escape from a Mexican prison in 2015 by bribing officials and hiring a tunnel digger. She also admitted that she had violated the Kingpin Act by engaging in transactions with businesses linked to Guzmán.
On November 30, 2021, Coronel was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $1.5 million in illicit profits and to pay a $100,000 fine. The judge, Rudolph Contreras, said that he considered Coronel’s lack of criminal history, her role as a mother, and her cooperation with the authorities, but also the seriousness of her crimes and the harm they caused to society. Coronel apologized for her actions and said that she hoped to rebuild her life.
Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about Emma Coronel Aispuro:
| Name | Emma Modesta Coronel Aispuro |
|---|---|
| Age | 34 (as of 2023) |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Partner | Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán (m. 2007) |
| Children | Emali and Maria Joaquina (twin daughters) |
| Education level | Sixth grade |
| Favorite food | Mexican cuisine |
| Net worth | Unknown (estimated at $5 billion in 2019) |
| Sex | Female |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Sibling | Edgar Coronel Aispuro (brother) |
| Favorite TV show | Unknown |
| Pet | Unknown |
| Tattoo | A butterfly on her shoulder |
Conclusion
Emma Coronel Aispuro is a fascinating and controversial figure, who has lived a life of glamour and danger, love and crime, fame and infamy. She has been the wife of a drug kingpin, the mother of his children, the owner of a fashion brand, and the inmate of a prison. She has faced criticism and admiration, loyalty and betrayal, freedom and captivity. She has been a beauty queen, a fashionista, a gatekeeper, and a conspirator. She is Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of El Chapo.