SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — Suzanne Mubarak, wife of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, was hospitalized Friday after suffering severe chest pains upon hearing the news that she had been ordered detained on corruption allegations.
The director of the hospital said she had a heart problem and was in unstable condition at the hospital in this Red Sea resort community, where her husband also has been hospitalized.
The detention order came a day after the 70-year-old former first lady was questioned for the first time since she was accused of taking advantage of her husband’s position to enrich herself. The Mubaraks and other members of the former regime have been the subject of legal efforts to bring them to trial since the ex-president was ousted on Feb. 11 after a popular uprising.
A security official said Mrs. Mubarak will remain in the hospital for the time being but was expected to be moved to a women’s prison in Cairo.
Once a low-key first lady known for her focus on women and children rights, Mrs. Mubarak had in the last decade become known as a powerful mover in Egyptian politics.
She was believed to be a strong backer of her son Gamal’s efforts to succeed his father as well as another son Alaa’s business activities. She was known to have a say in the promotion of senior officials, and liked to be called “Hanem,” or “Madam.”