Mark Sanford’s Mistress Maria: Her Argentina Apartment And Emails Emerge
24 June 2009, 6:11 PM. By Cindy Casares
South Carolina governor Mark Sanford’s mistress is said to be named Maria, (how unoriginal), and a member of the Argentine government (guessed it!) who lives on Republica de la India in Buenos Aires across the street from the Carlos Thays Botanical Gardens in the posh Barrio Palermo.
The woman is separated and, as Sanford detailed in his strange press conference this afternoon, she is the mother of two children.
The State newspaper in South Carolina obtained emails between Sanford and Maria last December and is only publishing them now, removing her last name and the names of her children. They are below:
From Gov. Sanford,
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 12:24 a.m.“One, tomorrow leave at 5 a.m. for New York and meetings. Will think about you on its streets and wish I was going to be there later in the month when you are there. Tomorrow night back to Philadelphia for the start of the National Governor’s Conference through the weekend. Back to Columbia for Tuesday and then on Wednesday, as I think I had told you, taking the family to China, Tibet, Nepal, India, Thailand and then back through Hong Kong on world wind tour. Few days home then to Bahamas for 5 days on a friend’s boat for the last break of the summer. The following weekend have been asked to spend it out in Aspen, Colorado with McCain - which has kicked up the whole VP talk all over again in the press back home …
Two, mutual feelings …. You have a particular grace and calm that I adore. You have a level of sophistication that so fitting with your beauty. I could digress and say that you have the ability to give magnificent gentle kisses, or that I love your tan lines or that I love the curve of your hips, the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of the night’s light - but hey, that would be going into sexual details …
Three and finally, while all the things above are all too true - at the same time we are in a hopelessly - or as you put it impossible - or how about combine and simply say hopelessly impossible situation of love. How in the world this lightening strike snuck up on us I am still not quite sure. As I have said to you before I certainly had a special feeling about you from the first time we met, but these feelings were contained and I genuinely enjoyed our special friendship and the comparing of all too many personal notes …
Lastly I also suspect I feel a little vulnerable because this is ground I have never certainly never covered before - so if you have pearls of wisdom on how we figure all this out please let me know… In the meantime please sleep soundly knowing that despite the best efforts of my head my heart cries out for you, your voice, your body, the touch of your lips, the touch of your finger tips and an even deeper connection to your soul.”
——————–
From Maria,
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 8:14 p.m.“As I told you I shouldn’t have done this trip but I would have felt worst if I wouldn’t have come because it was too over the date, he is a very nice guy, great heart … but unfortunately I am not in love with him … You are my love … something hard to believe even for myself as it’s also a kind of impossible love, not only because of distance but situation. Sometimes you don’t choose things, they just happen… I can’t redirect my feelings and I am very happy with mine towards you.”
——————–
From Gov. Sanford,
Tuesday, July 8, 1:42 a.m.“Got back an hour ago to civilization and am now in Columbia after what was for me a glorious break from reality down at the farm. No phones ringing and tangible evidence of a day’s labors. Though I have started every day by 6 this morning woke at 4:30, I guess since my body knew it was the last day, and I went out and ran the excavator with lights until the sun came up. To me, and I suspect no one else on earth, there is something wonderful about listening to country music playing in the cab, air conditioner running, the hum of a huge diesel engine in the back ground, the tranquillity that comes with being in a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh, the day breaking and vibrant pink coming alive in the morning clouds - and getting to build something with each scoop of dirt.”
La amante del gobernador de Carolina del Sur sería funcionaria del gobierno argentino [Perfil]
Exclusive: E-mails between Sanford, woman [The State]
(63) 
Post Your Comment
Did you know you can now share a link, image or video?
Click to submit your own notas.
Mark writes a wonderful letter. Leave the wife and kids. Retire and run to your love. Life is too short….
Sorry to say but I agree with Guest. Shit happens. We are all human with human emotions. It’s very sad for everyone envolved.
Some of you people are just as stupid and immoral as he is. “Follow your heart.” What bullshit. How about, “honor your vows?” Respect your wife and 4 children. Don’t be such a selfish asshole. Do your job. Any of that ring a bell?
Honor your vows? Complete your duty?? What about honoring your vows by being honest with your wife about where you love really lies. People are not robots. People should stop being obsessed with security and service to another and try to relate in ways that promote REAL love, friendship and respect. If his heart isn’t with her he should man up to it, always be there for his kids and as a friend to Jenny but stop lying to them and himself. From the look of their faces Jenny and Mark haven’t been happy for a long time.
You’re assuming he doesn’t love his wife and kids. You’re assuming ditching his family would be easy. Life is complicated, and infidelity is just asking for complication.
I can understand where the 2 writers above think that the Govenor should go with his heart… it’s just not that easy. What people don’t realize is that an affair is usually a symptom of something that’s going wrong with either your life or your marriage - sometimes both. If you don’t work on your issues, you take your problems with you and the affair becomes a burden. All you end up doing is trading one set of problems in for another. Every man that I know that left his wife for another woman has told me that if they had to do it all over again, they wouldn’t do it.
“Every man that I know that left his wife for another woman has told me that if they had to do it all over again, they wouldn’t do it.”
Is it the same for women who leave their husbands?
Yep.
he has joined the group of many men who have made a FOOL of themselves by acting like a silly teenager when all it is actually is a mid-life crisis…….and he is a politician who has too much time on his hands, and power…….he can get away with it (he thinks)…so he does it. These politicians travel and live a life that we can’t imagine. He acts like trash…….
These moments of Republicans coming out and doing just the opposite of family values began 4 years ago with the Libby scandal, and the list grew, and grew, with homosexuals, adulterers, liars, with Bush at the top of the list in power, with his CIA henchmen doing his bidding. Bush came in under a cloud along with the rest of the republican hipocrits, and the white sepulcher, openned and the filth ( like pus, poured out). And now, when we have a Democrat President trying to do everything decent, and a Dem congress to back him, these liars, etc. have criticized, and said no to everything, blocking, and getting in the way of true progress for this country and the world. I can’t believe, that there are Americans, who actually listen to these lying hipocrits, led by Cheney, and Limbaugh! As far as the money? We were in bad economic times under Bush, we have to do Healthcare now, and just as the republicans saw Iraq as an absolute necessity, we Dems should see Healthcare, as an absolute necessity!
In most cases, a man never finds true happiness when he abandons his family for another woman. But there are exceptions to every rule. Reading these letters, it is completely over with his wife. He has fallen in love with this mistress. He probably never was in love with Jenny. He probably married her simply because she was a good woman and would be a good mother to his children. It happens all the time. In order for a man to fly all the way to argentina, there has to be much more than sex and passion. As a matter of fact, he loves this mistress so much that this time he decided to come back home and come clean. And there is no marriage to leave. His heart is already gone, might as well be gone physically as well.
Wow, let’s clear up one of your statements - he did not just “decide” to come clean - he got caught!! His wife knew about the affair five months prior and filed for separation 3 weeks prior to this little tryst. They were “reportedly” working on a reconciliation. The dude promised his wife one thing and then continued to have the affair behind her back. He lied to his staff about his whereabouts as well. He’s not “honorable.” He didn’t just have some moral breakthrough out of the goodness of his two-timing heart. He lied to his wife, his kids, (HIS ENTIRE FAMILY), his staff, and the state of South Carolina. He condemned Clinton & voted for Clinton’s impeachment when the Lewinsky story broke. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. This is in part, the main outrage w/ the voters. I’m from S.C. and this really gets under my skin. I voted for the guy b/c I thought he was true to his word & would represent our state well. My view of him has DRASTICALLY and permanently changed due to this. He’s ruined his reputation as well as his trust among the voters. Oh, and I don’t think love is a “feeling.” This guy followed his pecker to Argentina, plain & simple. Love is a choice more than anything else - and he found a little hot Argentinian tamale that made him feel better about himself for a while - this is not a long term anything. The Argentinian woman was poor & looking for status quo as well as a man to care for her (in more ways than one). Classic. Look at the guy - he’s not the hottest politician on the planet by any stretch - so why would this woman be with him in that way. It’s not normal. Edwards is a little different b/c yes, the guy’s relatively good-looking, but Sanford??? Please. This is not love - it’s lust for Sanford & it’s altogether different for the Argentinian woman. Just my 2 cents. I’m a psychologist specializing in marital discord, so this is nothing new to me. He’ll regret this poor choice the rest of his life - especially when the other woman fails to meet some of his needs. She could never replace his life - she was just the cherry on the icing of his double-life.
The Argentinian woman was a politician or at least government official. To assume she is poor is ignorant Americanism. I highly doubt she was poor. The Sanford’s had separated. Jenny “didn’t even care” where she was. I don’t think she was ignorant about the fact that he was in Argentina or that he was still in love with this woman. She seems like she has a level head. I don’t think she even tried to fool herself.
Their marriage is a business function, like most are. That’s what a lot of people don’t understand about politicians/businesspeople/rich people. Marriage in general is about security and continuation of family no matter what people try to tell themselves. With people like the Sanfords, its even more so. They can use God, and try to live up to a higher duty but all of that doesn’t erase the emptiness in their hearts and the lack of self-integrity and self knowledge they forfeit for the sake of their children and their jobs. Plus I know PLENTY of men that have left their wives for other woman they have fallen in love with and they are still with them and happier. There is a BIG difference in having sex with another woman and falling in love with her (sex or no sex, though these day sits mostly the former). Most of the men who fall in love turn and never look back.
Perfect response. I add one thing: If you are in danger of committing adultery, find a friend really fast. If you do not have one, make one. Have your friend tell you over and over again not to do it. Once your reputation is shot, it’s shot forever. Honest. Love, look, lust, admire, imagine, fantasize, dream, and bask in the glow if you wish. Just do not touch the goods. One touch and it’s over forever.
In lieu of a friend, seek a lawyer immediately.
What in the world do you mean - - ” In order for a man to fly all the way to argentina, there has to be much more than sex and passion”??? Name one man you know who hasn’t done something this stupid or worse just for sex. Men are weak. And even the strongest man can be tempted and lead astray.
It happens to the best of us. I met a handsome guy, I felt alive again and ileft a 15 yr relationship for him. Like one earlier put, you leave one set of problems for a new set. But those letters sound like real love, authentic, and he should go to Buenos Aires,it’s more than a fling or mistake.
I’ll say it again, only up here this time. It’s a hind-brain-pheromone thing.
i love Guest comment cuarily z its refreshing. stop badgering the guy-he is in love and will take care of his family monetarily but he should go with his heart!
Why would his wife want him back knowing that he obviously was (and likely still is) completely in love with another woman?
Just once, I’d like to see the wife who’s been cheated on call him the dirty rotten scoundrel that is truly is.
Hey - - he won’t even have to worry about supporting the little family - - SHE is the one with the big bucks. Why do you think he fell madly in love with her in the first place? Nice - - this time it’s for luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv!
He is crazy in love with Argentinian or he wouldn’t have disappeared on Father’s Day. We forget that Jenny basically helped finance all of his campaigns. Believe he did not make clear in the news conference that he was banking on reconciliation. He stated he cried for five days in Argentina. I would not accept someone back knowing they love someone else.
don’t cry for me Argentina…
Woman love powerful and more importantly, married men.. And men? Well we just love any beautiful woman that we can sleep with, and quietly sneak away from.. All that poetic crap in his emails is just the elbow grease he’s put into keeping her interested.. men are NOT poetic! We’re shmucks! He’s more of a shmuck because like Spitzer, he’s dragged his family through this.. Atleast Spitzer was paying for it, making it a business affair and not a crazed LOVE spell.. It’s wrong, plain and simple
I was wondering whether I’d get to hit my stereotype quota for the day. Thanks!
Finally, an honest answer. Sanford has confused love w/ lust - love is more a choice than anything. Lust & excitement is what he is experiencing w/ the Argentinian woman. She has made him “feel” a certain way & he likes it. Love changes over time, especially in a marital relationship. It evolves…but he’s experiencing that spark that only comes with the excitement of an affair - the secrecy - the lust - the passion - with the Argentinian woman. It’s the classic cheater’s cycle - he’s hook-line-and-sinker but let’s be bloody clear, what he’s feeling is more physiological than mental!!! He’ll regret it - every man I have EVER counseled who cheated on his wife and/or left his wife for “another woman” regrets it at some point in time. Once the initial lustful bliss & excitement wears thin, Sanford will experience reality again.
“there is something wonderful about listening to country music playing in the cab, air conditioner running, the hum of a huge diesel engine in the back ground, the tranquillity that comes with being in a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh, the day breaking and vibrant pink coming alive in the morning clouds - and getting to build something with each scoop of dirt”
he really needs a live journal
“a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh…” What is he, on Second Life?
He obviously is unfullfilled with that great job to risk it all for a babe. I suppose the babe expects to move into the Gov mansion with him after they chase wife and kids out. Why do these politicians feel so entitled to just take whatever they want? Really appreciate the wisdom and values of Obama after hearing about this Sanford creep.
plain and simple LUST!
It is an impossible situation, as they both admitted. But the governor is definitely in LOVE. Really, life is too short—- go with your heart, Gov.! …and I am not a Republican!
“there is something wonderful about listening to country music playing in the cab, air conditioner running, the hum of a huge diesel engine in the back ground, the tranquillity that comes with being in a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh, the day breaking and vibrant pink coming alive in the morning clouds - and getting to build something with each scoop of dirt”
Well, he sure has got some dirt to build on now!
I am embarrassed for him, but even more embarrassed for the people of South Carolina, but not for the reason one might think. In just the portion of the July 10 email reproduced in this article, Gov. Sanford has has demonstrated that he can neither spell well nor follow basic rules of grammar:
- He says at one point that he “wishes (he) was going to be there” instead of using the proper subjunctive form, “I wish I were going to be there”;
- He characterizes a hurried trip to Asia as a “world wind tour” instead of as a “whirlwind tour”;
- He refers to a “lightening strike” instead of a “lightning strike”; and
- He neglects to follow the word “Lastly” and the phrase “In the meantime” with commas.
I would hope that his former professors at Furman University, where he received his BA, and the University of Virginia, where he received an MBA, are as embarrassed for him - and for themselves - as I am. Of course, it could be argued that there are more important things in life than paying attention in school and developing sound verbal skills, and I would not disagree. The problem is that, as far as those other things - honor, loyalty, fidelity, duty to office, and honesty to name a few - Gov. Sanford has shown by his actions that he lacks them. There is a bright side to all of this, however: Gov. Sanford has been exposed for what he is before possibly taking millions of dollars in contributions from unsuspecting and gullible citizens in a possible presidential campaign bid, a la John Edwards, or actually being elected to that office and causing the kind of problems that former President Clinton did.
You used “has” twice in your second sentence.
You missed a comma after “honesty”
Firstly, “lastly” should be “last.”
The people of South Carolina should “gently kiss” the governor good-bye. Such a hypocrite. Confession? He was trapped at the airport with the goods and had to come clean. The “State” newspaper was going to publish the e-mails. He began by lying about his trip and love of “exotic” vacations. You were having an “affair”, Governor! We get it!
Let’s evaluate his job performance as CEO of a state. He just simply disappears & is awol? He also was absent & not reachable when his state had some serious fire issues. What else has he done or would do to compromise his job duties? Every mature person knows that your brain & responsibility goes out the window in these cases.
Poor Gov. Sanford! Yet another hapless victim of the notoriously charming yet heartless Argentinian woman. Men of power, money and privilege (not to mention holders of the blue passport) beware. Stick to fucking rather than loving them.
Fuck gov sanford he is a POS anyways let his ass get kicked out of office Sorry fucker!
another strike for the sanctity of heterosexual marriage.and this guy was a possible candidate for 2012
It seems Gov. Stanford does not have a deep connection with his wife for him to have: (1) the desire and (2) to actually make time to write to his mistress and “very dear friend” of over 8 years about his life and very personal thoughts. We need to remember that he is (or supposed to be anyway) a very busy man. It sounds like he feels lonely in his very crowded and busy life and felt a deep connection with “Maria” — a friend he trusted and respected and was happy to make time to communicate with despite his busy and “exciting” life filled with demands of work, family, travel, success and so many possibilities for further fame and glory.
Gov. Stanford probably married his wife because of her wealth, intelligence, professional accomplishments, ambition and good looks, knowing they will be very valuable assets for his political life, but was never deeply in love with her and never felt the deep connection of “the soul” with her as he does with his mistress. If it was just sex that he was seeking outside his marriage, he would have had an affair with someone who was geographically within easy reach. The fact that he carried on a very long-distance friendship for over 8 years before the friendship turned romantic indicates his feelings for his mistress are sincere; the long friendship they share seems to fill a void in his life that seems so “perfect” for observers.
P.S. — As a married woman who is not happy at all with Republicans, I was initially disgusted at the news of Mark Stanford’s “affair” and my initial reaction was, “Yep, another Republican having an affair. Great! What can you expect from those guys?” But after reading more about the story, the humane side of me feels empathy for his predicament.
Correction — Sanford, not Stanford! :-)
I agree. HE WAS FRIENDS WITH THIS WOMAN FOR 8 YEARS PEOPLE. While she was married with kids to boot. COME ON…
until I see a picture of ” Maria” I am reserving my decision…she must be extremly hot-hot and kinky..leave the guy alone
Sexy, sexual or good in bed does not always mean drop dead gorgeous. If you think this dude, then you obviously have not had sex with a lot of girls or you are sucking up too much of what the medias are telling you. There’s also something called a connection, be it genetic or psychological that really makes the sheets steam-as well as the rest of your life with this person. And some women have a certain allure that just draw you in. She may be gorgeous, but I’ve known plenty of “plain” women who are a lot better sexually than women who look like models.
To the author of this piece, I’d like to say that “Maria” is not “unoriginal”, since in Argentina this name is used as a kind of prefix
to many girls’ names. No one in Argentina would call her Maria, but
Belen instead.
When a man marries his mistress, it leaves a job open………
this is all very sad. Most people who have affairs still love their spouses. I would not presume anything about the Sanford’s marriage or whether they can get it back together. The story sounds pretty standard to me. Maintaining love in a marriage with children and careers is hard. Being IN LOVE is easy, and a thrilling escape from reality. Unfortunately (or maybe, fortunately), the physiological and emotional state of being IN LOVE does not last. Sanford appears to be coming down off of that high. I expect that woman will quickly vanish from his life. If he is very lucky, his wife will forgive him and take him back, but he’ll be in the “making restitution” mode for a long time. I wish him luck.
It takes two to tango. Marie Belen should never have encouraged Mark Sanford to cross the line between a platonic friendship and a sexual/romantic one. Any woman with a conscience would say “no” to a married man with not only a wife, but young kids. She was being very inconsiderate of Sanford’s family when she decided to go ahead and be party to the illicit affair.
People who have not experienced this cannot relate. I read Mark’s e-mail(s); very similar to some I wrote under these circumstances. It is the most wonderful and beautiful thing that can happen in life. Unfortunately, when it ends like this, everyone loses. The pain couldn’t be deeper. When I lost “my Maria,” it was more painful than losing the life of my own brother. Unfortunately, no one wins. I’m still with my wife nine years later. Our relationship is one of room-mates, and we’ve slept in seperate rooms since 2000.
My wife, like Jenny, hasn’t done anything wrong. This is why I stay with her, and provide for her. Still, I miss “my Maria” every day, and Mark will too . . . no matter what.
I’ve been there.
I can’t believe someone would rather mope around fantasizing about the one that got away, rather than love the one you’re with. Your wife deserves better and so does Jenny Sanford. You’re not doing anyone any favors by hanging around and preventing them from getting on with their lives and maybe finding someone who actually will love them. That is cruel. Hope Sanford is not that selfish and stupid.
Your would-be trystress would tire of washing your shorts and picking up after you. And, that stereotypical commode seat thing would become an issue. Think about that while you pine away in your separate room.
Thank you to those who wrote about honoring his vows to his wife and honoring his responsibilities to his children. I get the emotional pull of such an affair and have had MANY opportunities to date married men. It’s a heady feeling and tempting to give into. But all it does is cause pain and destroys people’s lives. And for what? To chase a feeling - a feeling that may or may not last. Maria may tire of him, he may tire of her. When we live lives in pursuit of a “good” feeling, we are desperately lost and tossed about like a ship at sea.
Pathetic cry baby and complete nut with NO judgement. Poster boy for being the perfect cliche of a wimpy guy going down in flames in his midlife. On the other hand his now wife is amazing!
Jenny please run for Govenor or even better for president, I’d switch parties to vote for you!
Crap! It’s all about pheromones. Even bugs know that.
Humans would fall in love with a log if it had apocrines on it. To Mrs. Sanford: It wasn’t entirely his fault. It was a primitive instinct. Watch out, because it can happen to anybody. As for the social and legal adultery issue, that’s up to you and Governor Sanford. And, Mrs. Sanford, I recommend that you purchase and use a high-end fragrance with pheromones in it. That should put this issue to bed once and for all.
Strangely enough, I am touched by this. This man appears to be in love with this woman and she with him. He didn’t plan it neither did she. My heart goes out to his family, but I think he should do everything his power to be with the woman he loves.
Can anyone say C-U-T-I-E? Sanford is just another example of a self-professed, holier-than-thou hypocrite who found it was much harder (pardon the pun) to practice what he preached….another example of the little head taking over for the big head in purportedly intelligent, high profile men…..
I enjoyed every comment in this blog. I cannot wait to see how this all turns out months from now to see which way the wind blew, or better yet, how Gov. Sanford followed his heart (or wallet). I believe he had to know the stakes were high. I hear his mistress also had another suitor in addition to still being married so this is bound to muddy the tan lines so to speak. However, when you love someone deeply, you do crazy things….the comment about the connection, the steaminess…..so true. Best wishes to ALL
Uh, hey Gov… you really make me want to “puke”… you have a wife and a family who love you… you jerk!! Not to mention probably all the money you could spend in 9 life times!! … You’ve been blessed far more than most men including myself, and this isn’t enough for you? You need to go out and find you a little “mistress” …and then parade her all over the news in front of your family and the whole world? What a loser!!
PHISHING ALERT
Links above lead to attempt to get personal info and credit card numbers!!!