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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rita Karen Olsen Beck (born January 31, 1933 Copenhagen, Denmark)[2] is a Danish American-Costa Rican diplomat, politician and social worker. She has served as the First Lady of Costa Rica during the governments of her husband José Figueres Ferrer 1954–1958 and 1970–1974, a Legislative Assemblywoman and the Ambassador of Costa Rica to Israel.[3]
Karen Olsen Beck | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica | |
| In office 1986–1990 | |
| Ambassador of Costa Rica to Israel | |
| In office 1982–1984 | |
| President | Luis Alberto Monge |
| First Lady of Costa Rica | |
| In role May 8, 1970 – May 8, 1974 | |
| President | José Figueres Ferrer |
| Preceded by | Clara Fonseca Guardia |
| Succeeded by | Marjorie Elliott Sypher |
| First Lady of Costa Rica | |
| In role February 7, 1954[1] – May 8, 1958 | |
| President | José Figueres Ferrer |
| Preceded by | Henrietta Boggs Vacant (1949–1954) |
| Succeeded by | Olga De Benedictis Antonelli |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rita Karen Olsen January 31, 1933 Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Political party | PLN |
| Spouse | José Figueres Ferrer (1954–1990; his death) |
| Children | 4, including José María and Christiana |
| Alma mater | Columbia University University of Copenhagen University of Mary Washington |
| Profession | Diplomat Politician Social worker |
Olsen was born Rita Karen Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark.[1] Her parents, Walter Olsen and Karen Beck Olsen, had emigrated to the United States from Denmark and became naturalized U.S. citizens.[1] She lived in Yorktown Heights, New York.[1]
From an early age she exhibited great interest in social issues. While a student at Mary Washington College (now University of Mary Washington) she was involved in several movements promoting solidarity with, and defense of, the needy.[4] After graduating from Mary Washington College, Olsen enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study social sciences.[1] She then received a Master of Arts in sociology from Columbia University in New York City.[1]
She married the then-President of Costa Rica, José Figueres Ferrer, on February 7, 1954, becoming the country's First Lady.[1] Olsen was 23 years old at the time of the wedding, while Figueres was 47.[1] The ceremony was performed at the home of Figueres' brother, Antonio Figueres, by Archbishop Ruben Odio Herrera.[1] President Figueres had divorced his first wife, former First Lady Henrietta Boggs, on January 1, 1954.[1]
With Figueres she had four children, including José María, also president of Costa Rica 1994–1998; and Christiana Figueres, a specialist in environment and climate change, who is the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
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