Mexican Royalty: First Ladies
by Nayarit Editor Tara A. Spears
They seem to have it all: money, power, privilege. In ancient times the indigenous people had queens and royalty but the invaders enslaved them. Another group rose to the top only to have Mexico abolish the royal class in the 1910 Revolution. Yet again leaders have reached the upper echelon becoming the elite segment of society that has every royal trapping but the official title. The controversial role of Mexican First Lady is in that upper class because she is the President’s partner representing the country in public events both nationally and abroad. It’s the First Lady who must support her husband in times of crisis and play the perfect hostess for world leaders and national dignitaries. Traditionally the First Lady had to stay in her husband’s and political party’s shadow.
On the other hand, she must assume a role of total commitment to the administration of the country. What talent and personal interests did each former First Lady give up to support her man? Many of the modern First Ladies used her position to make an impact on society. She may have only been queen for six years (the presidential term) but some had a timeless impact beyond picking out curtains for the palace.
Without a salary or budget to carry out her personal initiatives, some First Ladies have simply assumed their decorative role. Others have chosen to influence policy and national causes. Let’s look at the modern day M
exican political royalty that had made a difference.
María de los Dolores Izaguirre Ruiz Cortines. (Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, 1952-1958.) Like many First Ladies of the twentieth century, she would serve more as a good hostess than a social activist. But at the end of her husband’s term, she became a great promoter of the feminine vote.
Eva Sámano de López Mateos (Adolfo López Mateos, 1958-1964.) She founded the National Institute for Infants, which the New
York Times describes as “Mexico’s first social assistance organization dedicated solely to children.” The article also stated she “initiated the national movement to organize and improve medical and educational services for Mexican children.”
Carmen Romano by López Portillo (José López Portillo, 1976-1982.) She was the founder of the DIF welfare service and the creator of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico City. Carmen openly promoted culture to be available to young people with limited resources.
Marta Sahagún de Fox (Vicente Fox, 2001 – 2006). She wanted to break with some of the traditions of the “position” by completely refusing to take over the direction of the national DIF. Marta is generally thought to be the worst First Lady in Mexican history! Her frivolous spending was investigated for mismanagement and tarnished her husband’s presidency.
Margarita Zavala de Calderón (Felipe Calderón, 2006-2012. She carried out actions related to her husband’s political agenda, such as the creation of the New Life Centers to support families affected by addictions, organized crime and migrant children. She also lobbied to help enact a Migration Law to help repatriated children. This educated politically savvy woman is expected to run for the presidency in the future.
Angelica Rivera de Peña (Enrique Peña Nieto, 2012 – Current.) As the president of the Citizen Advisory Council of the National System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF), Angelica led assistance to the states devastated by the 2017 earthquake. Senora Peña Nieto also arranged concerts by a group of artists to donate the proceeds to help the disaster areas rebuild.
It is absolutely amazing to an outsider looking in, that no matter how politically involved the Mexican First Lady was, afterwards the reporters and political analysis level accusations that each and every former First Lady “enjoyed the benefits of her husband’s power and was enriched by the many businesses courting presidential favor.” She is criticized for living a luxury lifestyle. This stands out to a foreigner because in most countries the people expect their leaders to live better than the masses and to conduct political business in elegant surroundings.
Perhaps the criticism is based on fact (as in the case of Sra. Fox); perhaps the view is tainted because so much of the country exists in dire poverty that those at the bottom are jealous. Most likely this perception derives from the socialist democratic doctrine that governs the culture. Regardless, the Mexican First Ladies live like a queen in the presidential mansion, above.
It reflects the 21st century sensibility to see strong women becoming involved in government and shaping policy. The most recent First Ladies have come a long way compared to the original role of the President’s wife as simply hostess and party planner. Let’s hope the future Mexican royalty continues the trend of using their prestigious position to have a positive impact.