Clemencia Holguín de Urdaneta

Clemencia Holguín de Urdaneta (née Holguín Caro; June 5, 1894 – May 10, 1990) was the first lady of Colombia from 1951 to 1953, as the wife of Roberto Urdaneta, the 25th president of Colombia. Her father was Carlos Holguín Mallarino, the 3rd president of Colombia. She married Urdaneta, then a lawyer with a prominent career in Bogotá circles.

As First Lady, she dedicated herself to supporting Urdaneta's administration as hostess at the Casa de Nariño. She showed little interest in politics and rarely participated in political debates, although she did support the welfare of soldiers, who played an important role in her husband's administration.

Early life, marriage and family

Clemencia Holguín Caro a was born in Bogotá, Cundinamarca, on June 5, 1894, to President Carlos Holguín Mallarino, who, like her future husband, would become president as a presidential designated.^[1] Her mother, Margarita Caro de Holguín (née Caro Tovar), was the sister of the fifth president, Miguel Antonio Caro.^[2] Clemencia grew up in the Chicó neighborhood of Bogotá, at the time one of the wealthiest areas of the city. Clemencia had three siblings: Margarita (1875–1959), Hernando (1871–1921), and Álvaro (1889–1973).^[3][4] Her family was constantly under public scrutiny, which later influenced Clemencia's approach to life.^[5]

Clemencia was a highly sought-after woman in her time, especially in Bogotá's high society. As the eldest daughter, she was closely watched by her two older brothers. Clemencia was courted by Roberto Urdaneta, at the time a lawyer whose career was just beginning. The courtship lasted a full year, with the strict permission of Clemencia's father, President Carlos. Clemencia and Roberto married on June 3, 1917, in a ceremony held at the Jockey Club of Bogotá. After their marriage, Clemencia lived in Lima, The Hague, and Chía, Cundinamarca, due to Roberto's work.

In July 1951, Roberto was appointed Minister of Government by President Laureano Gómez. He later held the position concurrently with that of presidential designate until November of that year. Following President Gómez's declining health, Roberto led the government ex officio until November of that year, when he finally ascended to the presidency. After Roberto's rise to the presidency, Clemencia became the First Lady of Colombia, serving discreetly and avoiding unnecessary public appearances. Promoting a rather conservative view of the role of a politician's wife, she discreetly advocated for basic sanitation for military personnel.^[6]

Following the soft coup of 1953, Urdaneta left his post. With Rojas Pinilla's rise to the presidency, the Urdaneta family settled in Geneva, Switzerland until his fall in 1957.