Karen Olsen Beck

Olsen was born Rita Karen Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 31, 1930.^[1][3] Her parents, Walter Olsen and Karen Beck Olsen, had emigrated to the United States from Denmark and became naturalized U.S. citizens.^[1] She lived in Yorktown Heights, New York.^[1]

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.^[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 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.

Beck died on September 25, 2025, at the age of 95.^[5]