María Cristina Arango Vega
María Cristina Arango | |
|---|---|
Arango de Pastrana in 1974 | |
| First Lady of Colombia | |
| In role 7 August 1970 – 7 August 1974 | |
| President | Misael Pastrana Borrero |
| Preceded by | Cecilia de la Fuente de Lleras |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Caballero Blanco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | María Cristina Arango Vega October 15, 1928 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia |
| Died | September 15, 2017 (aged 88) Bogotá, D.C., Colombia |
| Party | Liberal |
| Spouse | |
| Relations | Pastrana family |
| Children | 4, including Andrés |
María Cristina Arango de Pastrana (née Arango Vega; 15 October 1928 – 15 September 2017) was the first lady of Colombia from 1970 to 1974, as the wife of Misael Pastrana, the 26th president of Colombia. Among her children is Andrés Pastrana, the 33rd President of Colombia. Arango de Pastrana, Enriqueta Vásquez de Ospina, and María Michelsen de López are the only three women who have been the wife of a Colombian president and the mother of another. Arango de Pastrana was generally popular as First Lady due to her liberal political positions, which contrasted with the conservative policies of her husband.
María Cristina Arango was born in Bogotá, D.C. She met Misael Pastrana in 1946, they became engaged in the middle of that same year, and married in February 1951. Arango de Pastrana became First Lady in 1970 after her husband's inauguration as President. During her time at the Casa de Nariño, she dedicated herself fully to directing the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, characterized by her liberal approach. She continued to actively participate in political campaigns after leaving the Casa de Nariño, as her eldest son, Andrés, ran for mayor of Bogotá and president.