Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the first female president of Costa Rica, is a renowned Costa Rican politician with an impressive public service career. Prior to her presidency, she served as vice president and minister of justice, dedicating her efforts to promoting citizen security and human rights throughout Latin America. With a strong commitment to trade and economic liberalization, Chinchilla invested in children and youth programs, innovation, and technology. She actively fought against domestic violence, crimes affecting children, organized crime, drug trafficking, and public corruption. Additionally, Chinchilla’s stance against abortion and same-sex marriage resonated with the predominantly Roman Catholic voters in her country. Her expertise in public security and justice administration is evident through her numerous publications in both Spanish and English.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Laura Chinchilla Miranda
- Age: 64 Years, 64 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: José María Rico, Mario Alberto Madrigal Díaz
- Father: Rafael Ángel Chinchilla Fallas
- Mother: Emilce Miranda Castillo
- Children: José María Rico Chinchilla
- Presidents
- Political Leaders
- Political ideology: Political party – National Liberation Party
- Notable Alumni: University Of Costa Rica
- More Facts
- Education: Georgetown University, University Of Costa Rica
Childhood & Early Life
Laura Chinchilla was born on March 28, 1959, in Carmen Central, San Jose, Costa Rica. She was the eldest of four children in a middle-class Roman Catholic family. Her parents, Rafael Ángel Chinchilla Fallas and Emilce Miranda Castillo, were both involved in national politics. Her father served as the Comptroller General of the Republic in the 1970s and 1980s. Laura graduated from the University of Costa Rica with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1981. She later received her master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Career
Laura Chinchilla began her career as a consultant specializing in judicial and public security reform in Latin America and Africa. She worked for various international agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She also delivered lectures at international forums on public security and police reforms. In 1994, she entered public office as the Deputy Minister of Public Security under President José María Figueres Olsen. She later served as the Minister of Public Safety for two years. From 2002 to 2006, she represented the province of San José in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly. In 2006, she was elected Vice President and Minister of Justice under President Óscar Arias Sánchez. She resigned from her vice presidential position in 2008 to focus on her presidential campaign. On February 7, 2010, she won the Costa Rican presidential election and served as president for four years.
Major Works
Laura Chinchilla has written books, monographs, and articles in Spanish and English on subjects such as the administration of justice, public safety, and police reforms.
Awards & Achievements
Throughout her career, Laura Chinchilla has received several awards and honors. She was a member of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2006. From 2006 to 2008, she served as Vice President and Minister of Justice of Costa Rica. In 2011, she received the “Excellence in National Stewardship of the Oceans” award for her efforts in conserving and sustainably managing the nation’s ocean resources. In 2012, she was named an honorary citizen of Seoul, South Korea, for her shared values in technology, innovation, and respect for the environment. In 2013, she was honored with the “Shark Guardian of the Year” award for strengthening her country’s anti-finning law and banning shark fin imports.
Personal Life & Legacy
Laura Chinchilla married Mario Alberto Madrigal Díaz in 1982, but they divorced in 1985. In 1996, she had a son named José María Rico Chinchilla with José María Rico Cueto, a Spanish lawyer. They got married in 2000.
Trivia
In 2013, Laura Chinchilla had an approval rating of only 13%, making her the least popular president in Latin America according to an opinion poll.