HEARTBREAKING story: After decades alone, Mali’s final breath slipped away in silence—forgotten, behind rusted bars and fading memories.

She was the last and only elephant in the Philippines

AN elephant dubbed by activists as the world’s saddest has died at a Philippine zoo where she spent almost all of her life alone.

Mali has spent over 40 decades in lonely confinement with no companions from her species

Vishwamali, better known as Mali to locals, has spent over four decades at Manila Zoo after being kidnapped by the country’s dictator and gifted to his wife.

She has been the Zoo's star after being gifted to the dictator's wife in 1977

She has been the Zoo’s star after being gifted to the dictator’s wife in 1977Credit: AFP

Mali has died on Tuesday after suffering congestive heart failure and other health issues

Mali has died on Tuesday after suffering congestive heart failure and other health issuesCredit: ViralPress

She was just three years old when she arrived in the capital Manila from Sri Lanka in 1977 as a gift to Imelda Marcos, the notorious shoe-loving wife of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Sir Paul McCartney and PETA have called to transfer Mali to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand

Sir Paul McCartney and PETA have called to transfer Mali to an elephant sanctuary in ThailandCredit: AFP

Wild elephants can live up to age of 60-70 years but Mali died at 43

Wild elephants can live up to age of 60-70 years but Mali died at 43Credit: Getty