Karen Olsen Beck | |
---|---|
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 |
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]
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.