Marita Camacho Quirós, the First Lady of Costa Rica from 1962 to 1966, and the nation’s oldest person ever, passed away on 20 June, at the age of 114.
Marita Camacho Quiros was born in San Ramon, Alajuela, Costa Rica, on 10 March 1911, as the seventh daughter of Salustio Camacho Muñoz and Zeneida Quirós Quirós. Her second cousin, Daniel Oduber Quirós (1921–1991), served as President of Costa Rica from 1974 to 1978.
On 16 April 1932, she married Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich in Naranjo, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The couple adopted two children, Francisco José and Mauricio Orlich Camacho. Her husband would go on to become the 34th President of Costa Rica, serving from 1962 to 1966. Significantly, she made history as the first woman to actively participate alongside her husband in the presidential handover ceremony on 8 May 1962—until then, First Ladies had not played a direct role in the event. During her tenure as First Lady, she devoted herself to advocating for children and championed a Costa Rican Social Security initiative that provided housing for underprivileged families.
As First Lady of Costa Rica, she played a prominent diplomatic role, accompanying her husband on numerous international trips. In 1963, she helped welcome U.S. President John F. Kennedy and other regional leaders to Costa Rica and visited the Vatican to meet Pope John XXIII. The previous year, she toured Europe and met Spanish leader Francisco Franco. In 1964, she was officially received by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who hosted her and President Francisco Orlich at a formal event and dance party.
In March 2023, she celebrated her 112th birthday, becoming the first person in the nation’s history to reach this milestone. She later became the first to reach ages 113 and 114 as well.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Marita Camacho Quirós during this difficult time.
