Solano Hernández was born in Barranquilla, Atlántico Department, Colombia on 13 January 1914 (claimed 9 March). She experienced a challenging childhood due to her family’s extreme poverty, initially residing with her mother. Later, she moved in with her father and stepmother, feeling grateful for her stepmother’s warm reception. At the age of 4, she fell into a small bonfire, resulting in enduring scars despite receiving treatment. She studied until the fifth grade of elementary school.

At the age of 15, she got married. Although her husband was illiterate, he was a hard-working man. The couple went to tend to a plot of land, where they encountered numerous challenging situations. He lost his job, and as a result, they had to rent a small room for 1,000 Colombian pesos.

At the age of 15, she fell seriously ill with severe anemia, which left her unable to walk and on the brink of death. Her two children cared for her during this challenging period. In 1938, the municipality granted her land for free, and her husband, in turn, took on the task of making bricks. Over the years, he used these bricks to gradually build their house. Delia, primarily a homemaker, assisted with all household chores. She washed clothes for neighbors and prepared and sold fried foods such as Colombian cocadas. Her children supported her in these endeavors, aiding with sales. As time passed, they established a small store within their home, offering a limited range of products. Despite economic challenges, they managed to sustain themselves. She also engaged in sewing as another source of income.

Her hobbies included reading the newspaper daily and solving crossword puzzles. She had six children. Her third child passed away at the age of 1. Her fourth child, a daughter, lived until the age of 80, while her fifth and sixth children, a son and daughter respectively, were 85 and 82 years old as of March 2024.