Karen Olsen Beck

Karen Olsen Beck studied at University of Copenhagen, Columbia University and University of Mary Washington. The recorded working language is English, Danish and Spanish. Positions recorded include First Lady or First Gentleman of Costa Rica and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica.

• Name — Karen Olsen Beck • Office — Member of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica • Term Start — May 1, 1990 • Term End — April 30, 1994 • Office2 — Ambassador of Costa Rica to Israel • Term Start2 — 1982 • Term End2 — 1984 • President2 — Luis Alberto Monge • Office3 — First Lady of Costa Rica • Term Label3 — In role • Term Start3 — May 8, 1970 • Term End3 — May 8, 1974 • Predecessor3 — Clara Fonseca Guardia • Successor3 — Marjorie Elliott Sypher • President3 — José Figueres Ferrer • Office4 — First Lady of Costa Rica • Term Label4 — In role • Term Start4 — February 7, 1954 • Term End4 — May 8, 1958 • Predecessor4 — Henrietta Boggs Vacant (1949–1954) • Successor4 — Olga De Benedictis Antonelli • President4 — José Figueres Ferrer • Birth Name — Rita Karen Olsen • Born — 31 January 1930 • Birthplace — Copenhagen, Denmark • Died — 25 September 2025 • Place of death — San José, Costa Rica • Party — PLN • Children — 4, including José María and Christiana • Occupation — Diplomat Politician Social worker • Alma Mater — Columbia University University of Copenhagen University of Mary Washington

Olsen was born Rita Karen Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 31, 1930. Her parents, Walter Olsen and Karen Beck Olsen, had emigrated to the United States from Denmark and became naturalized U.S. citizens. She lived in Yorktown Heights, New York. 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. After graduating from Mary Washington College, Olsen enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study social sciences. She then received a Master of Arts in sociology from Columbia University in New York City. She married the then-President of Costa Rica, José Figueres Ferrer, on February 7, 1954, becoming the country's First Lady. Olsen was 23 years old at the time of the wedding, while Figueres was 47. The ceremony was performed at the home of Figueres' brother, Antonio Figueres, by Archbishop Ruben Odio Herrera. President Figueres had divorced his first wife, former First Lady Henrietta Boggs, on January 1, 1954. With Figueres she had four children, including José María Figueres, 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. Olsen died on September 25, 2025, at the age of 95.