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Gerónima Montealegre

1823 – 1892

First Lady and philanthropist

First LadyPhilanthropist
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About Gerónima Montealegre

Lived 1823 – 1892 (aged 68). Gerónima Montealegre was a Costa Rican first Lady and philanthropist, known for First Lady of Costa Rica.

Gerónima Montealegre Fernández de Carranza Ramírez (October 30, 1823 - September 16, 1892) was First Lady of Costa Rica and wife of Temporary Head of State Bruno Carranza. She was born in San José on October 30, 1823 to her parents Mariano Montealegre Bustamante (Costa Rica's first Vice Head of State and diplomat) and Jerónima Fernández Chacón, and was sister of President José María Montealegre Fernández. She married Carranza on January 3, 1847 and later became First Lady when he took power by coup d'etat from April 27 to August 8, 1870.

Using her mother's inheritance, she and her sisters founded Hospicio de la Trinidad, the first orphanage in the city of San José. She died in this city on September 16, 1892. At the time of her death the local press nicknamed her "mother of the orphans and the handicapped" (in Spanish "madre de los huérfanos y los desvalidos").

She was the great-great-grandmother of actress Madeleine Stowe.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
First Lady, philanthropist
Nationality
Known for
First Lady of Costa Rica
Positions held
First Lady or First Gentleman of Costa Rica
Also known as
Gerónima Montealegre Fernández, María Gerónima Montealegre Fernández de Carranza Ramírez, Geronima Montealegre, Geronima Montealegre Fernandez, Maria Geronima Montealegre Fernandez de Carranza Ramirez

Family & relationships

Spouse
Bruno Carranza
Parent
Mariano Montealegre Bustamante

People in Gerónima Montealegre's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gerónima Montealegre's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gerónima Montealegre?

First Lady and philanthropist (1823–1892)

When was Gerónima Montealegre born?

Gerónima Montealegre was born on 30 October 1823 in San José.

When did Gerónima Montealegre die?

Gerónima Montealegre died on 16 September 1892 in Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.

What was Gerónima Montealegre's occupation?

Gerónima Montealegre was a first Lady and philanthropist.

What was Gerónima Montealegre known for?

Gerónima Montealegre was known for First Lady of Costa Rica.

What nationality was Gerónima Montealegre?

Gerónima Montealegre was Costa Rican.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gerónima Montealegre

· Wikidata: Q5553525

· DBpedia: Gerónima Montealegre

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gerónima Montealegre. https://biography.guide/geronima-montealegre/

MLA: "Gerónima Montealegre." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/geronima-montealegre/.

Chicago: "Gerónima Montealegre." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/geronima-montealegre/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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