Emma Coronel Aispuro, the spouse of infamous drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, made an unexpected appearance at Milan Fashion Week, one year after her release from incarceration. The 35-year-old former model, who wed El Chapo in her teens, showcased a lavish bridal gown in what the designer described as her "rebirth."
In 2021, Coronel received a three-year sentence after admitting guilt to charges linked to aiding the Sinaloa cartel, including her role in El Chapo's 2015 prison break. The Sinaloa Cartel, established in the late 1980s, is recognized as one of the world's most formidable drug trafficking organizations, with operations spanning over 50 countries.
Prosecutors determined that Coronel was deeply involved in the cartel's operations. As part of her plea agreement, she relinquished approximately $1.5 million in illicit cartel funds. Her sentence was subsequently reduced, leading to her release in September 2023.
Meanwhile, El Chapo, 67, continues to serve a life sentence without parole in ADX Florence, a supermax facility in Colorado. His criminal empire, known for its brutality, has been linked to violence across the globe. El Chapo's sons, referred to as "Los Chapitos," have assumed control of much of the cartel's activities, which are estimated to generate billions in annual revenue.
Coronel's return to the modeling world took place in Milan's Palazzo Serbelloni, a historic venue once inhabited by Napoleon. She donned a tiara and an ornate white gown, symbolizing her attempt to distance herself from her controversial past.
April Black Diamond, the LA-based designer behind the show, stated, "As a designer, I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and fashion is the perfect platform to highlight transformation, strength, and resilience." The collection aimed to celebrate "resilience, rebirth, and the beauty of transformation on this global stage."
Coronel's journey into the spotlight began at 17 when she won her first beauty pageant in Canelas, Mexico, in 2007. That same year, she encountered El Chapo, who was then 50. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage when Coronel was 18, making her El Chapo's third wife.
The couple shares twin daughters, born in 2011, believed to be the youngest of El Chapo's 19 children. El Chapo, whose full name is Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, has a long history in the drug trade, starting as a marijuana farmer in the 1970s before rising to lead one of the most powerful cartels in history.
El Chapo's notoriety led to his inclusion on Forbes' list of billionaires from 2009 to 2012. His final capture in 2017, following two previous escapes from Mexican prisons, led to a high-profile trial in New York lasting three months with testimony from 56 witnesses. The US government had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
As Coronel steps back into the public eye, her appearance at Milan Fashion Week raises questions about the intersection of fashion, celebrity, and criminal history. While some view it as a chance for redemption, others may see it as a controversial choice given the devastating impact of the drug trade led by her husband's organization.
"As a designer, I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and fashion is the perfect platform to highlight transformation, strength, and resilience."