Aida Merlano Biography: Net Worth, Height, Partner, Age, Party, Nationality, Ethnicity, Siblings, Twitter

Aida Merlano is a Colombian former politician and lawyer who rose to international attention following a dramatic escape from judicial custody in 2019.

Previously elected to the Senate and a former member of the Chamber of Representatives, her career became widely publicized due to her involvement in a sophisticated voter-buying network and her cinematic flight from justice.

Her profile reached global prominence when she escaped from a Bogotá dental clinic using a rope and a motorcycle, a stunt that captured media attention worldwide.

This event, combined with her subsequent capture in Venezuela and deportation to Colombia, has cemented her reputation as a controversial and high-profile figure in both politics and the judicial system.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Aida Merlano Rebolledo
• Date of Birth: December 21, 1980
• Age: 45 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of Birth: Barranquilla, Colombia
• Nationality: Colombian
• Profession: Politician and Lawyer
• Hair Color: Brunette
• Parents: Domingo Merlano
• Siblings: Vanessa Victoria Merlano
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: Aida Victoria Merlano Manzaneda, Esteban Merlano
• Relationship Status: Single
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Hispanic
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Aida Merlano Rebolledo (46 years old) was born on December 21, 1980, in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Raised in the Atlántico Department, she became involved in local politics during her adolescence, reportedly beginning her work as a civil leader around 1991.

She is the daughter of Domingo Merlano and grew up alongside her sister, Vanessa Victoria Merlano. Her early exposure to regional political networks helped shape her rapid ascent within the Conservative Party.

She studied law at the Free University of Colombia (Universidad Libre), which provided the foundation for her professional career as a lawyer.

Despite later controversies regarding her legal credentials, her education enabled her entry into the Department Assembly of Atlántico in 2011, marking the beginning of her formal political career.

Personal Life

Aida Merlano’s personal life has been closely linked to her public legal battles. She has two children, Aida Victoria Merlano Manzaneda and Esteban Merlano.

Her daughter, Aida Victoria, legally changed her name to honor her mother and has since become a prominent social media influencer.

Merlano was previously in a long-term romantic relationship, including with Yeico Manuel Vargas Silvera, but she is currently single.

Her familial relationships, especially with her daughter, have been the subject of media attention due to their involvement in her 2019 escape.

Career

Aida Merlano began her political career in Barranquilla under the mentorship of local power brokers.

She served in the Department Assembly of Atlántico from 2011 to 2014 before being elected to the Chamber of Representatives for the 2014–2018 term.

In 2018, she won a Senate seat but was never seated due to allegations of electoral fraud.

Following her arrest and high-profile escape, her public career shifted from legislative work to involvement in corruption investigations and legal proceedings.

As of late 2025, she reached a pre-agreement regarding charges related to her escape, remaining a key figure in Colombia’s judicial and political discourse.

Net Worth

Aida Merlano has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. Her wealth stems from years of political service and regional business interests, although significant portions of her assets have been subject to seizure.

Controversy

Aida Merlano’s notoriety largely stems from her involvement in corruption scandals. In 2019, she was sentenced to 15 years for her role in a voter-buying network that used QR codes to track payments.

Her escape from a Bogotá dental clinic on October 1, 2019, became an international headline. After months as a fugitive in Venezuela, she was recaptured and deported to Colombia.

In December 2025, a new sentence of 42 months was issued for her escape, reinforcing her status as a polarizing figure in the Colombian judicial system.

Social Media

• N/A