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First Lady of Costa Rica, 1962–1966, and supercentenarian (born 1911) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós (born 10 March 1911) is a former First Lady of Costa Rica when her husband Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich was president from 1962–1966. She is the first person who was a First Lady to become a supercentenarian. Camacho Quirós is the oldest living person in Costa Rica and the oldest former First Lady in the world.
Marita Camacho Quirós | |
---|---|
First Lady of Costa Rica | |
In office 8 May 1962 – 8 May 1966 | |
President | Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich |
Preceded by | Olga de Benedictis Antonelli |
Succeeded by | Clara Fonseca Guardia |
Personal details | |
Born | Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós 10 March 1911 (age 113 years, 179 days) San Ramón, Costa Rica |
Political party | PLN[1] |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Relatives |
|
Camacho Quirós was born on 10 March (the same day as her future husband) 1911 in San Ramón, located within Alajuela Province. Her parents were Salustio Camacho and Zeneida Quirós, both farmers. She was their seventh daughter.[3]
Camacho Quirós married the businessman and politician Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich in the nearby city of Naranjo de Alajuela, on 16 April 1932. They had two sons, Francisco Orlich Camacho and Mauricio Orlich Camacho.[3]
As of 2024, Camacho Quirós has outlived her husband by 54 years.
On 8 May 1962, Orlich Bolmarcich became the President of Costa Rica. Upon his inauguration, Camacho Quirós became the First Lady of Costa Rica. She maintained the position until 8 May 1966[4] when Clara Fonseca Guardi succeeded her.
As First Lady, she actively worked for children; promoted children's shelters,[3][5] teaching schools, school canteens, and community centres.[6] She supported the Hospicio de Huérfanos de San José[5] and the 1964 creation of the Hospital Nacional de Niños.[1][3]
Camacho Quirós made several trips abroad with her husband as First Lady. They met with Pope John XXIII,[1][3] Francisco Franco,[7] and American presidents John F. Kennedy[3] and Lyndon B. Johnson.[8]
She and her husband left office as popular and well-liked figures, with her husband being credited for stabilising the nation during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[citation needed]
On 10 March 2021, Camacho Quirós turned 110 years old, becoming a supercentenarian.[9][10] She has been verified by the Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS) as the oldest living Costa Rican.[lower-alpha 1][12] She is also the oldest known former first lady.[10]
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