Paloma Delia Margarita Cordero Tapia, known as Paloma Cordero, (February 21, 1937 – May 11, 2020) was the First Lady of Mexico from 1982 to 1988 during the presidency of her husband, Miguel de la Madrid. Cordero also headed the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF) during her tenure.[1][2]

Paloma Cordero
Cordero touring the aftermath of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake
First Lady of Mexico
In office
December 1, 1982 – November 30, 1988
PresidentMiguel de la Madrid
Preceded byCarmen Romano
Succeeded byCecilia Occelli
Chairwoman of the National System for Integral Family Development
In office
December 1, 1982 – November 30, 1988
Personal details
Born(1937-02-21)February 21, 1937
Mexico City, Mexico
DiedMay 11, 2020(2020-05-11) (aged 83)
Mexico City, Mexico
Political partyInstitutional Revolutionary Party
Spouse
(m. 1957; died 2012)
ChildrenMargarita
Miguel
Enrique
Federico
Gerardo

Biography edit

 
First Lady Paloma Cordero attending a state dinner at the White House in 1984.

Cordero was born in Mexico City on February 21, 1937.[1] She was the daughter of Luis Cordero Bustamante, a lawyer, and Delia Tapia Labardini.[1] Cordero was raised in the Colonia Hipódromo Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City.[1]

In 1953, Cordero's older brother introduced her to Miguel de la Madrid. The couple began dating in 1955, when De La Madrid was a fourth year of law school.[1] The couple married in 1959 in a Catholic ceremony at the Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Cuauhtémoc.[1] Their marriage produced five children - Margarita, Miguel, Enrique Octavio, Federico Luis and Gerardo Antonio.

In addition to the normal protocols and tours expected of for the national first lady, Cordero also headed the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF), a public social service agency, and the National Volunteer Service organization.[1] Under Cordero, the DIF expanded to include new programs offering drug rehabilitation, protection for abused minors, services for the blind and disabled, and aid to law enforcement.[1] Cordero also oversaw the construction of new shelters, child development and recreational centers, and food processing facilities through DIF.[1] New technical training programs were also added to DIF's outreach services.[1]

Paloma Cordero died on May 11, 2020, at the age of 83. She was survived by her five children, Margarita, Miguel, Enrique Octavio, Federico Luis, Gerardo Antonio; and seven grandchildren: Luis Javier, Pablo, María, Isabel, Miguel, Fabiana and Amelia.[1] Her husband, Miguel de la Madrid, died in 2012.[2][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Muere Paloma Cordero, viuda del expresidente Miguel de la Madrid". El Financiero. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Trasciende deceso de Paloma Cordero, viuda de Miguel de la Madrid". La Jornada. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Morales, Alberto (May 11, 2020). "Fallece Paloma Cordero, viuda del expresidente Miguel de la Madrid". El Universal. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.