Gina

"A few years later, the German emigrated to Mexico, became involved in the import business, and soon built himself a residence in Polanco. His charm and sophisticated style opened the doors to the high social circles of the capital. Shondube married the shy Aurora, whose family was originally from Sinaloa, and on January 6, 1930, Aurora gave birth to Gina, her only daughter."

"Even though Don Emilio was promoting his son as an executive, he did not give him special treatment in day-to-day work. He was concerned about and disapproved of the playboy turn his son’s life had taken after Gina’s death. Don Emilio thought that the only way his son would mature would be if he put more energy behind the desk and less in bars and bedrooms. Emilio Jr. liked to argue about everything and often interrupted his father, so he was frequently reprimanded: “Don’t be stupid, this is a serious business!” or “Let’s see, Mr. Know-it-all!” On one occasion, Don Emilio explained this strict attitude to a friend: “I demand a lot from my son for two reasons: because he is Emilio and because he is an Azcárraga.”"

"Gina’s death also had a defining impact on Emilio’s relationships with women throughout his life. He never again practiced monogamy; he was not going to allow himself to lose control again by giving himself so completely to a relationship. He became a man of several wives and many lovers, most of them in their twenties and almost all discarded after a few years, once he had grown bored with them or when another younger one, another temporary substitute for Gina’s image, crossed his path. Forty years after Gina’s death, Emilio would say that passion was the most powerful thing there is, but he did not believe in happiness; happiness comes and goes, he would say."

"But the media monarch in Mexico was not about to deny his son a wedding for the ages, and the capital’s newspapers made sure to widely promote the big event. Often, the front page of the society section would include a photo of Gina dining with her friends. In those days it was customary for the popoff girls (as upper-class girls were called) to have dozens of bridal showers, organized by each of their friends, in their residences in Las Lomas and Polanco. But Gina was so popular that it seemed all the rich people in the capital wanted to celebrate her engagement. A few days before the religious ceremony it was learned that Gina had attended a record 103 bridal showers."