Marita Camacho Quirós, the former First Lady of Costa Rica, turns 114
The Gerontology Research Group is delighted to announce that Mrs. Marita Camacho Quirós of Costa Rica, the oldest person in Costa Rican history, and the former First Lady of Costa Rica, has celebrated her 114th birthday. Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós’s age was verified by Jennie Jimenez, Jeffrey Xu, Miguel Quesada, et al., and validated by the Gerontology Research Group as of May 22, 2023.
Marita Camacho Quirós Marita Camacho Quirós was born in San Ramon, Alajuela, Costa Rica, on March 10, 1911, as the seventh daughter of Salustio Camacho Munoz and Zeneida Quiros Quirós. Her baptism took place on June 21, 1911. She was a second cousin to Daniel Oduber Quirós (1921–1991), who served as the President of Costa Rica from 1974 to 1978. On April 16, 1932, Marita married Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich in Naranjo, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The couple decided to adopt two children, Francisco Jose and Mauricio Orlich Camacho.
Marita’s husband, Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich, became the 34th President of Costa Rica and served from 1962 to 1966. She made history by being the first woman to participate alongside her husband in the handover ceremony on May 8, 1962. Prior to her, first ladies did not have direct participation in this event. During her time as First Lady, Marita Camacho Quirós actively advocated for children’s rights and promoted a Costa Rican Social Security project that aimed to build houses for underprivileged families.
Marita Camacho Quirós accompanied her husband on various diplomatic trips abroad. She welcomed President John F. Kennedy of the United States, as well as other Presidents from Central America and Panama, in 1963. She also had the privilege of visiting the Vatican and meeting with His Holiness Pope John XXIII. In 1962, she embarked on a tour of several European countries, including Spain, where she met Francisco Franco, the leader of the nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War and the head of state from 1939 to 1975. On June 30, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson of the United States warmly received Francisco Orlich and Marita Camacho during their official state visit to America and even hosted a dance party in their honor.
Marita Camacho Quirós was widowed in 1969.
Her second cousin, Adela Monge Quirós (January 23, 1907 – January 4, 2015), lived an astonishing 107 years and 346 days.
As of her 109th birthday in 2020, Marita had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She became the oldest known living person in Costa Rica following the passing of 111-year-old Claudia Soto Saborio on December 10, 2020.
In April 2022, Marita exercised her right to vote in the Costa Rican presidential election runoff.
She gained international recognition as the oldest living person known for reasons other than her longevity after the death of 111-year-old Stanislaw Kowalski of Poland on April 5, 2022.
As of her 114th birthday in 2025, Marita Camacho Quirós resided in Escazu, San Jose Province, Costa Rica.
On this remarkable achievement, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Camacho Quirós and her family.
