THE STORY OF LADY PAULA SALDOS DE PADILLA (1804-1886): THE SPANISH WOMAN OF SAINT MICHAEL

There was a young little girl with bright eyes, who recorded everything in her mind. Her name is to be known later in a couple of years, in a moving to another country known as Saint Michael, El Salvador (always in Central America). In Saint Michael, she would become a businesswoman, not because she needed to; it was rather because she was forced to in order to survive. Her name would be known as Doña Paula Saldos De Padilla, the kind and polite woman. This is a true story in which all contents are derived from real-life events.

Doña Paula or Lady Paula was my 4th great-grandmother. In the year 1835, Napoleon III (who was my 4th great-grandfather), made a visit to Costa Rica when she was 27 years old. Back then she was living at Saint Michael. among these two young souls, destiny played its cards to unite them after Lady Paula had gone through so much suffering by her first and only husband... Guzman.

Love would unite them prior to her unhappy marriage, having from their love Enriqueta I Bonaparte Saldos and Napoleon Bonaparte Saldos. Later both children would be known as "The Lara Saldos" by their "Tutor." To later come to know the truth from their own mother, as they denied ever wanting to use the "Lara." Adela Guzman Saldos, her eldest daughter, also would reffuce to be known as one of Guzman`s daughter. I much preferred the "Saldos" surname. The same thing would their eldest sister do Marcelina Saldos - Only SALDOS!

("The Cameraman lens makes an aerial shot at Lady Paula as she walks the fields of her Father's land while embracing her arms, while her eyes remain fixed on her concern in how to carry on the family's business while being a woman")