40 Facts About Sebastian Marroquin

Early Life and Upbringing

Sebastián Marroquín, originally named Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, was born into a world of wealth and danger due to his father's notorious activities.

1. Marroquín was born on February 24, 1977, into immense wealth and privilege.
2. His father, Pablo Escobar, controlled a significant portion of the cocaine trade.
3. The family lived on the Hacienda Nápoles estate, a 20-square-kilometer property.
4. The estate included a private zoo with exotic animals like elephants and giraffes.

Luxurious Lifestyle

Despite the violent nature of his father's business, Marroquín's childhood was filled with luxury and opulence.

5. Marroquín's childhood included access to swimming pools, go-karts, and a mechanical bull.
6. The estate was a self-sufficient community with servants catering to every need.
7. Family vacations included trips to places like Washington D.C. and Disney World.
8. These trips were often marked by the family's ability to blend in, as Pablo Escobar was not yet widely recognized as a criminal in the United States.

Father's Influence

Pablo Escobar was a complex figure in Marroquín's life, both a loving father and a feared drug lord.

9. Escobar was known for his brutality and violence but also as a loving father.
10. Marroquín has described his father as someone who spoiled him and provided for all his needs.
11. As a teenager, Marroquín had a bodyguard with him at all times, even in school.
12. This was a necessity due to the constant threats and violence surrounding his father's activities.

Decision to Change Name

After his father's death, Marroquín took significant steps to distance himself from his father's legacy.

13. After Pablo Escobar's death in 1993, Marroquín and his family fled to Argentina.
14. To avoid detection and threats, Marroquín legally changed his name to Sebastián Marroquín.
15. He chose this name because airlines refused to sell him tickets under the Escobar name.

Education and Career

Marroquín pursued a career that would allow him to build something positive, distancing himself from his father's violent legacy.

16. Marroquín pursued a degree in architecture, which he graduated from.
17. This career choice was a deliberate attempt to construct something positive instead of destructive.
18. He now lives in Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires, with his wife and son.
19. Marroquín works as an architect and has built a new life away from his father's crimes.

Motivational Speaking and Advocacy

Marroquín has become a motivational speaker, advocating against the illicit drug trade and promoting reconciliation.

20. He travels across Latin America to deliver speeches against the drug trade.
21. Marroquín feels a moral obligation to confront society with his father's crimes and offer an apology to the victims.
22. He was involved in the documentary The Sins of My Father, which aimed to reconcile him with the sons of two prominent Colombian politicians murdered by his father.
23. The documentary was a significant step in Marroquín's journey towards forgiveness and redemption.

Meeting with Victims' Sons

Marroquín's efforts to seek peace and forgiveness have led to significant moments of reconciliation.

24. Marroquín's letter to the sons of Galán and Lara astonished them.
25. Rodrigo Lara, the son of the murdered minister of justice, boarded a plane to meet Marroquín.
26. This meeting marked a significant moment in their reconciliation process.

Criticism of Narcos Series

Marroquín has voiced his concerns about the portrayal of his father's life in popular media.

27. Marroquín has criticized the Netflix series Narcos for its inaccuracies and glamorization of his father's life.
28. He insists that his father was much crueler than portrayed in the show.
29. Marroquín has compiled a list of 28 serious errors made by the makers of Narcos.

Personal Reflections

Marroquín's journey has been deeply psychological, allowing him to confront and make peace with his past.

30. Writing the book and participating in the documentary were psychological necessities for him.
31. He recalls periods of hunger and the futility of possessing wealth when basic needs could not be met.
32. Marroquín was only 16 when his father was killed on a rooftop in Medellín by Colombian police in 1993.
33. He publicly vowed revenge against those responsible but later chose a path of redemption and atonement.

Reconciliation Efforts

Marroquín's reconciliation efforts are part of a broader process of national reconciliation in Colombia.

34. Despite his efforts, Marroquín is still perceived by many in Colombia as a criminal.
35. This perception stems from his vow of revenge following his father's death.
36. Marroquín has appeared in various public forums to share his story and advocate for change.

Legacy of Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar's legacy is complex and multifaceted, impacting Marroquín and his family deeply.

37. Escobar was responsible for the deaths of approximately 3,000 Colombians.
38. His wealth was amassed through the shipping of tons of Colombian cocaine to the United States.
39. Marroquín's book and documentary highlight the contradictions in his father's life.
40. Despite the challenges, Marroquín continues to promote reconciliation and advocate against the drug trade.

Marroquín's Path to Redemption

Sebastián Marroquín's life has been a rollercoaster, from the luxury of Hacienda Nápoles to the struggles of starting anew in Argentina. Changing his name and becoming an architect were steps to distance himself from Pablo Escobar's dark legacy. His work as a motivational speaker and author shows his commitment to making amends. The documentary The Sins of My Father and his book Pablo Escobar: My Father offer raw insights into his journey. Despite facing public skepticism, Marroquín continues to advocate for reconciliation and denounce the drug trade. His story is a testament to the human capacity for growth and redemption. Through his efforts, he aims to transform his father's violent legacy into a message of peace and change. Marroquín's journey underscores the importance of confronting the past to build a better future.