Karen Olsen Beck

About

Best known as the wife of Costa Rican president Jose Figueres Ferrer, she also served in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica and worked as a diplomat.

Before Fame

While attending Mary Washington College in Virginia, she became involved in social activism on behalf of the economically disadvantaged.

Trivia

A member of a Danish family, she grew up in New York.

Family Life

Following their 1945 wedding, she and Jose Figueres Ferrer became parents to four children. Her daughter Christiana Figueres grew up to be a well-known environmental and climate change activist, and her son José María held office during the 1990s as President of Costa Rica.

Associated With

She became First Lady of Costa Rica shortly after the more famous Eva Peron held this same title in Argentina.