Career
Karen Olsen de Figueres was born in New York, in the United States of America. Her family was of Danish origin. From an early age she exhibited great interest for social issues.
While a young student at Mary Washington College, she was involved in several movements promoting solidarity and the defense of the needy.
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.
