Sanford's mistress identified
By Glenn Smith
Updated 03:50 p.m., June 25, 2009
Gov. Mark Sanford's mistress is a 43-year-old divorced mother who works for an agricultural company and lives in a trendy neighborhood, Argentine media reported today.
La Nacion newspaper in Buenos Aires identified Sanford's lover as Maria Belen Chapur, a mother of two sons who lives in the fashionable district of Palermo. Other news outlets reported her last name as Shapur.
She is said to be an attractive and well-educated professional who speaks English, Portuguese and Chinese, the Clarin and Terra Noticias news services reported. She lives in an upscale apartment building near a zoo, a large park and the U.S. Embassy. She is said to have attended St. Catherine's, a well-regarded private school.
After six days of speculation about his whereabouts, Sanford emerged Wednesday and confessed to having a year-long affair with a woman he met in Argentina eight years ago. Sanford did not identify the woman but told reporters she had two boys.
Sanford grew teary-eyed during the press conference and he said he had spent the past week crying in Argentina and trying to get his "heart right."
Celebrity gossip website TMZ today quoted Buenos Aires bar owner Carlos Soto as saying he saw the governor and his mistress having a good time last week. The owner of Guido's Bar told TMZ the two were "all over each over" in his establishment, "kissing, holding hands and drinking wine."
Media crews are reportedly camped outside her apartment, but Chapur has yet to speak with reporters.
Translation from La Nación
Below is a translation from a story the Argentinean newspaper La Nacion
United States governor reveals that he has an Argentinean lover;(He) was missing for five days
... In the local media, she was identified as Maria Belen Chapur, a [fresh, vigorous, well preserved] woman of Buenos Aires of 43 years, divorced for several years. She lives in an apartment in the neighborhood of Palermo. She has two sons from her previous marriage. She works for farming and livestock business/company. She maintains excellent physical state doing many sports.
Several media outlets reported that Chapur works for Bunge y Born, a multi-national agribusiness with deep roots in Argentina. Bunge y Borne is now known as Bunge Limited, based in White Plains, N.Y.
But Stewart Lindsay, a spokesman for Bunge Limited, said Chapur has never worked for the company. He said the confusion may stem from published race results from a 2005 marathon in which Chapur ran alongside Bunge workers with whom she is friends. "But she is not an employee and has never worked there."
Sanford drew national attention after he drove off in a law enforcement vehicle last week and disappeared. His aides and his wife initially said they had no idea where he was, adding that the governor had pulled vanishing acts in the past when he needed time to clear his head.
Sanford's aides later indicated that he had taken time off to hiking along the Appalachian Trail. They stuck to that story for two days until a reporter caught up with the governor Wednesday as he stepped off a plane at the Atlanta airport.
Sanford admitted he had been in South America. At an afternoon press conference, he offered a broader explanation, confessing that he had an extramarital affair and had misled his staff about a secret trip he took last week to be with the woman.
Sanford said he met his mistress eight years ago, though he didn't say where. They struck up a conversation, became friendly and decided to stay in contact via e-mail. "It started on a very casual basis - run things by each other," he said. He felt as if he had found a confidant. "We developed a remarkable friendship over those eight years. About a year ago, it sparked into something more than that."
Felipe Noguera, a political consultant in Argentina, said the affair has not attracted great attention in Buenos Aires, likely because many people are preoccupied by the upcoming mid-term legislative elections. Affairs of the heart and other personal peccadillos also seem to attract less attention in Argentina than in the United States, where philandering has torpedoed so many political careers, he said. "That is more of an American phenomenon, like sitcoms or soap operas," he said.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly versionComments
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Earlier this morning she was a MARRIED mother of two and now she's DIVORCED?
Which is it?
June 25, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goirish777 (anonymous) says...
Year long my butt....
This is AWESOME! http://jezebel.com/5302250/south-caro...
My wife and I noticed the same thing and laughed.
June 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
hope she looks good enough for this trouble- will have no respect at all if she looks like a dog
June 25, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cathys (anonymous) says...
I find it interesting that Mrs. Sanford has become the hero in this piece. She has a lot of repressed anger. Her telling the media "I have no idea where my husband is" is what set the whole investigation into motion. She had to know it would have this effect (especially over Father's Day weekend), and she also had to have a pretty good idea where he would be if missing. So while he was wrong to have the affair, she set him up to be caught.
June 25, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
And if she did "set him up to be caught" I say good for her. Sounds as if the victim is being blamed in that post.....
P.S. Had he not been out "doing something exotic" he would not have been able to be "set up!"
June 25, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missing_Home (anonymous) says...
If it is the same Maria Belen Chapur in Argentina that I am looking at on Facebook. She is a Hottie
June 25, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cathys (anonymous) says...
I am not saying she wasn't right to "set him up", I question the whole "I love him" and "he has earned a right to reconsiliation" crap. She wanted him caught and she set in motion events that would ruin him. That is not love that is revenge.
June 25, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
He set in motion the events that will ruin his career. Your posts are unbelievable. She deserves compassion, not accusations.
June 25, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
Mrs. Sanford had no way of knowing how long her philandering hubby would be gone...I can't imagine how she felt; abandoned, then interrogated, and expected to provide answers that were well thought out, that would save her husband from what he had brought only on himself. I have felt nothing but mortified over what she must be going through...it is humiliating enough to both her and her children, then the papers release the actual e-mails between the two. Horrible. She seems to have handled herself very well, in light of what has been put on her plate. I hope she takes him for enough to be very, very comfortable, and eventually finds herself someone who doesn't pick up sl*ts on the internet.
June 25, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TinaR (anonymous) says...
Maybe the way to make him contrite and give up the mistress was for him to be caught. Sanford was still not focusing on his wife NOR his children until he was caught.
June 25, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
cathys, your clairvoyance is blinding!!!!!
June 25, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The governor is now rightly trashed. It's interesting that it's necessary for some to trash his wife as well. (Throw up.)
June 25, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ncsugradsc (anonymous) says...
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.... Hard to feel sorry for a hypocrite and such a judgemental individual. I'm sure with all their money, they won't be hurting for long.
June 25, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squirt16oz (anonymous) says...
If it were a Democrat, they'd scream "Family Values," "immorality!", "impeachment," "Another Clinton!" and harangue him until he was forced to quit. But.....he is not a Democrat, and we all know Republicans don't have to abide by their holier than thou attitudes and positions. You see, being a hypocrite is far superior to being a Democrat! You are NOT serving this state nor its voters. Goodbye, Mr. Sanford. I don't care if your cell phone was on or not...oh, by the way...is it GSM so you could be contacted in case of an emergency? That's what's used in Argentina (and the rest of the world, almost!).
June 25, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
True ncsugradsc, I think the book will be a best seller.
June 25, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history (anonymous) says...
I don't remember him saying he was giving up his mistress. The way the Ag. business works in Argentina she could easily have been working for some completely owned subsiderary of the quoted firm. Then again maybe she is anouther financially independent woman for Mark.
June 25, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
the only maria belen chapur i could find on facebook was a maria belen chapuro and she didnt look like a hottie to me unless you meant the cute puppy dog she was holding....
June 25, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squeak (anonymous) says...
Wow. I can't believe people are actually looking this woman up on Facebook.
June 25, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missing_Home (anonymous) says...
Wrong November 4 DHS, I saw a picture of a woman that looks very hot. In Great physical shape. there were 4 in Argentina with the same name, only 3 had pics.
To the rest of you speaking of Clinton's impeachment;
The main reason Clinton was impeached by Congress was because he lied to the American people under oath (pergery). Not because he cheated on his wife.
The democrats spent alot of time and effort to convince the public that his impeachment was about an afair, it was not!
It was about the lies told under oath.
June 25, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mnbvcxz (anonymous) says...
she's not on facebook
June 25, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
Clinton did not lie under oath. He answered the questions asked based on how they were framed and the definitions he was given regarding sexual relations. To a good lawyer, sometimes the definition of "is" is important. Had the lawyers on the other side been sharper and not limited their definition of "sexual relations" to intercourse, Bill might well have answered the question truthfully...
June 25, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sed81650 (anonymous) says...
Okay, when are we going to see the photo that goes along with these love letters? How sad this is.
June 25, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gococks1985 (anonymous) says...
You keep telling yourself that sardis...maybe one day you will actually convince others of the same thing. Clinton lied...just as Sanford lied...don't try to manipulate the situation into something that you WANT it to be just because you may be a supporter of that person....
Clinton did not lie...hahahahhahahahahahahaha.
June 25, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oswaldjd (anonymous) says...
What I find repulsive about this whole thing, Mark Sanford is derilic in his duties to the state. If he wanted time off, he should have taken it and had the chain of command in place. Anyone can take personal time and not have to declare what they are doing. It appears that Sanford is self indulgent and a sociopath. The rules do not apply to him. I would strongly urge that he resign, if not, impeach him.
June 25, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Missing_Home (anonymous) says...
Clinton was a hair splitting liar, the worst kind and
He did it under oath.
June 25, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Maria Belen Chapur, 43, said to be a commodities trader with Bunge and Born, a grain trading corporation.
June 25, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Chapur works for Bunge y Born, a multi-national agribusiness with deep roots in Argentina.
Bunge y Borne is now known as Bunge Limited, based in White Plains, N.Y.
June 25, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ykw (anonymous) says...
cathys -- You and I seem to be thinking along the same lines. I also believe that Mrs. Sanford HAD to be the source of the e-mails to The State.
We agree that her comments are what set the whole investigation into motion. I believe she also said, "he needed time away from their children to write something."
Hmmmm... like needing time away to write more e-mails to you-know-who?
Hell hath ho fury like a woman scorned...
June 25, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Bunge Limited
50 Main St
White Plains, NY 10606-1901
June 25, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
sardis, I can't go with you on that one. Clinton lied and tried to cover himself with a typical politician's and lawyer's answer. That in and of itself was pathetic.
June 25, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olshoreboy (anonymous) says...
http://newsbizarre.com/2009/06/maria-...
nice!
June 25, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MMitchum (anonymous) says...
He wasn't faithful to her, he want be faithful to South Carolinians. Sorry but if he went to court he would be getting the adultry sentence. How about alienation of love and affection on Maria. I understand they have 4 boys? WOW what a Father Figure...
These MEN who we have placed in power should be thru with playing around when put there.Give them a lie detectors test and ask the question are you finished with running after women and men?
If you were a person off the street and put in front of a judge in SC....THE MORALE ISSUE would be used...He is not over this woman...Did you catch how he listed the people he hurt and in which order? 1st-was HER, 2nd-His Friend, 3rd- His WIFE....let him go. He is used merchandise now...never to recover due to his...not being strong enough to stay away from temptation.
June 25, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rgsno (anonymous) says...
Everyone needs something strange every once in a while. You're not supposed to get caught. Hats off to the governor you still have my support.
June 25, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"He set in motion the events that will ruin his career."
Absolutely and whoever released those emails had to have something to do with greasing the skids last week also. How did they suddenly get ahold of the emails and why the need to throw them on the fire, he was already dead. He did it to himself, his family and supporters like myself who looked for him to stand up for what we believe in. Our beliefs about the direction of this country and SC are not dead but are buried in the feeding frenzy of this sex scandal and no one in sight to pick up the banner.
June 25, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Why is no one questioning why The State newspaper has had these emails since December and just released them? Sounds pretty fishy to me. A newspaper burying a front page story??
June 25, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
olshoreboy: Say it ain't so. I wouldn't take that to fish fry in Frogmore.
June 25, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
history (anonymous) says...
The State could have saved us a lot of trouble by releasing those e-mails 6 months ago. Several leading politicos have been brought down solely on the basis of e-mails. At least the late release of everything saves us from the embarassment of a lightweight running for president. Even the village idiot would not think he could get away with mark's stunt.
June 25, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
OLSHOREBOY if that is her she ain't no looker. not worth the disgrace she caused
June 25, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyatwork (anonymous) says...
UPDATE
Her picture can be seen at www.newsbizarre.com
or just google CHAPUR and click on this site there are 4 or 5 pics
June 25, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
Watch out with above site - my system detected a virus.
June 25, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kostanza (anonymous) says...
....you know I think you can award her a couple of extra points for being latin, mwy caliente, ai,ai,ai,ai,aiiiih
June 25, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lazy2009 (anonymous) says...
Its time to get some politicians in SC who actually care about this state. If Sanford used public funds to visit this bimbo, he should be in prison.
June 25, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
metallic (anonymous) says...
Posted by Lazy2009:
>>If Sanford used public funds to visit this bimbo, he should be in prison.<<
Maria is reported to be multilingual; if true, I doubt she is much of a "bimbo."
June 25, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Make that a multilingual bimbo.
June 25, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Wow the TMZ and National Enquirer crowd are out...impressive.
June 25, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mmccum0805 (anonymous) says...
As an onlooker from another state, I find it rather sad that another country stated that the Governor of South Carolina's affair had not attracted so much attention there ......that this is "... more of an American phenomenon, like sitcoms and soap operas." I think it is sad that an individual's personal short-comings and family tragedies are the most newsworthy aspects of his or her life. Surely, the things Governor Sanford has accomplished during his tenure deserve more recognition than this failure. Mrs. Sanford is a true lady, handling a heartbreaking dilemma with courage and dignity. Don't you think the family deserves the opportunity to resolve their issues privately, without the slurs and demeaning remarks? It appears to an outsider that most of S.C.'s citizens think themselves to be saints, never having had personal failures or tragedies in their lives that they would prefer not to be judged and berated by the entire citenzry of the State. Judge not lest ye be judged.
June 25, 2009 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AnaLaura (anonymous) says...
See a picture of the home breaker (link below), she had a habit, she has been sleeping around with a powerful (and mafia) man (alberto Fernandez) from the Argentinean government, I know, I live in the US but I was born in Argentina. Heck, many argentineans, including me, we speak 5 languages, but we do not sleep around and we do not break homes.
This woman also slept around with the local "Ted Turner" of Buenos Aires, Daniel Haddad hired her as an informal commentator even if she had no formal training. She broke his marriage too, he had 4 or 5 kids, and when their affair came to light she was sent by his news channel to cover AFGHANISTAN, maybe Haddad's wife ask him to do that, to get rid of this whore.
She is a jaded divorcee and a gold-digger, a climber. Sorry mr Sanford, she "loved" you as much as she loved other "strong" men, not afraid to get close to mafia, in Argentina...
Check it out (picture and video of her from ARG news):
http://www.urgente24.com/index.php?id...
June 26, 2009 at 1:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lazy2009 (anonymous) says...
metallic, the chick is from Argentina. The US is one of the only countries where speaking more than one language is rare. Education does not preclude one from being called a bimbo. However, if it makes you feel better, I'll revise my original posting;
Si Sanford utilizo fondos de publico para visitar a esta puta, el debe estar en la prision.
June 26, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- S.C. losing port traffic to other states
- Tough times have taught comedian's sister to love life
- Cart gives Buddy new lease on life
- Water — 'The smell is gone'
- Schools plan to update visitor-security system
- Off campus
- GenPhar site 'red-tagged'
- Historic manor house used by Girl Scouts is among buildings that might be torn down to make way for future
- Man, 17, killed in motorcycle wreck
- Big gun goes home
