Ambrosia Acosta Terán was born in Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, as the daughter of Concepción Terán Paulín, who was single at the time. Her family was forced to escape from the Mexican revolution. Her mother later married Merced Acosta, who recognized Ambrosia as his daughter. Her mother died at the age of 98.

Acosta Terán worked as a secretary of the governor in Mexico City to help her family, who were living in San Luis Potosí. In her 50’s, she decided to return back to San Luis Potosí. She never married and had no children.

At the age of 109, she was still able to walk.

Ambrosia Acosta Terán died in San Luis Potosí City, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, on 25 August 2016, at the age of 112 years, 186 days.