Karen Olsen Beck

Olsen was born Rita Karen Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark.[1] Her parents, Walter Olsen and Karen Beck Olsen, had emigrated to the United States from Denmark and became naturalized U.S. citizens.[1] She is a native of Yorktown Heights, New York.[1]

From an early age she exhibited great interest for social issues. While a student at Mary Washington College, now known as the University of Mary Washington, she was involved in several movements promoting solidarity and the defense of the needy.[4] After graduating from Mary Washington College, Olsen enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study social sciences.[1] She then received a Master of Arts in sociology from Columbia University in New York City.[1]

She married the then-President of Costa Rica, José Figueres Ferrer, on February 7, 1954, becoming the country's First Lady.[1] Olsen was 23 years old at the time of the wedding, while Figueres was 47.[1] The ceremony was performed at the home of Figueres' brother, Antonio Figueres, by Archbishop Ruben Odio Herrera.[1] President Figueres had divorced his first wife, former First Lady Henrietta Boggs, on January 1, 1954.[1]

With Figueres she had four children, including José María, 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.