Marita Camacho Quirós
Marita Camacho Quiros was born in San Ramon, Alajuela, Costa Rica, on March 10, 1911, as the seventh daughter of Salustio Camacho Munoz and Zeneida Quiros Quiros. Her baptism took place on June 21, 1911. She was a second cousin to Daniel Oduber Quiros (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, she actively advocated for children’s rights and promoted a Costa Rican Social Security project that aimed to build houses for underprivileged families.
Marita Camacho Quiros 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.
Tragically, Marita Camacho Quiros was widowed in 1969.
Her second cousin, Adela Monge Quiros (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 112th birthday in 2023, Marita Camacho Quiros resided in Escazu, San Jose Province, Costa Rica. As of October 2021, she was among ten living Costa Ricans who receive a presidential pension.
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.
Recognition
- Doyenne of Costa Rica (Dec. 10, 2020 – present)
Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós; undated
Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós at age 1.
The Camacho family: Salustio Camacho and Zeneida Quiros together with their children: Juan Bautista, Pepita, Arturo, Claudio, Guido, Rodrigo, Mario, Marita, Dora, Luz, Hilda.
Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós in her youth (first from left)
Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós as a young woman with her husband.
1962: Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós with her husband on the first day of his presidency.
Camacho Quiros with her husband entering the Stadium for the handover ceremony on May 8, 1962.
Marita Camacho Quiros (far right) and Francisco Orlich (far left) with the Pope John XXIII in the Vatican; 1962.
Francisco Orlich and Marita Camacho Quiros eating a cake at a bakery on their visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in 1962.
Camacho Quiros (second from right) with her husband (second from left), Francisco Franco (far left) and his wife (far right) in 1962.
Marita Camacho Quiros (second from right) visiting a school in Morelos, Mexico on February 15, 1963.
Marita Camacho Quiros (far right), Lady Bird Johnson (far left), Francisco Orlich and Lyndon B. Johnson (both center) on June 30, 1964.
Marita Camacho Quiros after husband’s death.
Marita Camacho Quiros on 13 May 2008 at the age of 97.
Marita Camacho Quiros on her 100th birthday in 2011.
Marita Camacho Quiros (aged 103) with the former first lady Karen Olsen Beck, the former first lady Estrella Zeledon Lizano, the president Laura Chinchilla and the former first lady Josette Altmann Borbon on May 8, 2014.
Marita Camacho Quiros, aged 108, voting in February 2020 Costa Rican municipal elections.
Marita Camacho Quiros at age 109.
Marita Camacho Quiros on her 110th birthday.
Marita Camacho Quiros at age 111.
Marita Camacho Quiros on her 112th birthday.
