Hilaria Aguinaldo

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Hilaria del Rosario Aguinaldo (1877-March 6, 1921) was the first wife of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines (1898-1901). Emilio Aguinaldo married her on New Year's Day, 1896, the very same day he joined the secret society that would initiate Asia's very first anti-colonial revolution, the Katipunan. Although the title "first lady" was not used, and did not refer, to the wife of the President of the Philippines (being used only with the onset of the American governors-general in reference to their wives) at the time, she is today considered the first First Lady of the Philippines.

Mrs. Aguinaldo complemented Emilio Aguinaldo's military campaigns by caring for wounded soldiers and their families. In 1899, as the president's spouse, she established the Hijas dela Revolucion (Daughters of the Revolution) that later became Asociacion de la Cruz Roja (Red Cross Association), considered a kind of precursor of the present Philippine National Red Cross and for this she raised funds for medicine and other supplies. She was captured by American troops in 1900 and reunited with her husband after his capture by the Americans in 1901.

Preceded by (none) - Wife of the Spanish Governor - Captain General of the Philippines wife of José de Lachambre

First Lady of the Philippines 1898–1901

Succeeded by Aurora Quezon