First Lady of Paraguay (Spanish: ''Primera Dama de Paraguay''), also called First Lady of the Nation (Spanish: ''Primera Dama de la Nación''), is the official post of the wife (or designated person) of the

president of Paraguay The president of Paraguay ( es, Presidente del Paraguay), officially known as the President of the Republic of Paraguay ( es, Presidente de la República del Paraguay), is according to the Constitution of Paraguay the head of the executive bran ...

. The official workplace of the Paraguayan first lady is Mburuvicha Róga. The current first lady of Paraguay is Silvana López Moreira, wife of President

Mario Abdo Benítez Mario Abdo Benítez (; born 10 November 1971) is a Paraguayan politician who has served as the president of Paraguay since 2018. He was previously a senator and President of the Senate. Early life and education Abdo Benítez was born in Asun ...

Structure

According to Paraguayan law, the Office of the First Lady of the Nation depends structurally and financially on the presidency of the republic. The first lady exercises her duties through the REPADEH (''Red Paraguaya para el Desarrollo Humano'') Foundation, focused mainly in social and health affairs. With the exception of a 14-month period between 2012–2013, Paraguay did not have a president's wife as First Lady for a decade, between 2008 and 2018. As

Fernando Lugo Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez (; born 30 May 1951) is a Paraguayan politician and laicized Catholic bishop who was President of Paraguay from 2008 to 2012. Previously he was a Roman Catholic priest and bishop, serving as Bishop of the Dioc ...

, who was elected President in 2008, was unmarried, he designated his elder sister, Mercedes Lugo, as First Lady. After Lugo was impeached and succeeded by

Federico Franco Luis Federico Franco Gómez (born 24 July 1962) is a Paraguayan politician who was President of Paraguay from June 2012 until August 2013. A member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), he was elected as Vice President of Paraguay in th ...

, Franco's wife Emilia Alfaro de Franco assumed the post; however, Franco's successor,

Horacio Cartes Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara (born 5 July 1956) is a Paraguayan businessman and politician who served as the president of Paraguay from 2013 to 2018. He is a member of the Colorado Party. Cartes owns about two dozen businesses in his Grupo Carte ...

, one day after assuming the presidency, ended the title of First Lady instead of handing it to his estranged wife, María Montaña de Cartes.

Partial list of first ladies

{, class=wikitable width=60% ! width=16% , Portrait ! width=25% , First Lady ! width=16% , Tenure begins ! width=16% , Tenure ends ! width=16% ,

President of Paraguay The president of Paraguay ( es, Presidente del Paraguay), officially known as the President of the Republic of Paraguay ( es, Presidente de la República del Paraguay), is according to the Constitution of Paraguay the head of the executive bran ...

! width=16% , Notes , - , Juana Pabla Carrillo

, , 1844 , 1862 ,

Carlos Antonio López Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (November 4, 1792 – September 10, 1862) served as leader of Paraguay from 1841 to 1862. Early life López was born at Manorá (Asunción) on November 4, 1792, as one of eight children. He graduated from Real C ...

, , - ,

, Eliza Lynch , 1862 , 1869 ,

Francisco Solano López Francisco Solano López Carrillo (24 July 1827 – 1 March 1870) was President of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was the eldest son of Juana Pabla Carrillo and of President Carlos Antonio López, Francisco's predecessor. ...

, , - , , Clara Recalde , 1870 , 1870 ,

Facundo Machaín Facundo Machaín (November 26, 1845 – October 29, 1877) was Head of state and government of Paraguay, President of Paraguay. His period of government lasted barely one day between August 31 and September 1, 1870, but was important for the politi ...

, , - , , ''Vacant'' , 1870 , 1871 ,

Cirilo Antonio Rivarola Cirilo Antonio Rivarola Acosta (1836 – 31 December 1878) was the 4th President of Paraguay and served from 1870 to 1871. Biography The Rivarola family was important in Paraguayan politics throughout the 19th century, and often found itself at ...

, , - , , Ercilia Bogado , 1871 , 1874 , Salvador Jovellanos , , - , , María Concepción Díaz de Bedoya , 1874 , 1877 ,

Juan Bautista Gill Juan Bautista Gill García (''Juan Bautista Gill Garcia del Barrio'') (October 28, 1840 – April 12, 1877) was President of Paraguay from November 25, 1874 to April 12, 1877 and the only Paraguayan President to be assassinated while in office. ...

, , - , , Etelvina Trinidad Mercedes Velilla , 1877 , 1878 ,

Higinio Uriarte José Higinio Uriarte y García del Barrio (11 January 1843 in Asunción – 21 April 1909) was a Paraguayan politician and President from April 12, 1877 to November 25, 1878. He was Juan Bautista Gill's cousin. He served as President of the Ch ...

, , - , , Atanasia Escato , 1878 , 1880 ,

Cándido Bareiro Cándido Pastor Bareiro Caballero (October 27, 1833 in Luque Paraguay – September 4, 1880 in Asuncion, Paraguay) was President of Paraguay from 27 November 1878 to 4 September 1880 and the leading politician of the post-war decade. Bareiro se ...

, , - , , María Concepción Díaz de Bedoya , 1880 , 1886 ,

Bernardino Caballero Juan Bernardino Caballero de Añasco y Melgarejo (20 May 1839, Ybycuí, Paraguay – 26 February 1912, Asunción) was a Paraguayan War veteran, the President of Paraguay from 1880 until 1886 and founder of the Colorado Party. He was the lea ...

, , - , , Ramona Ignacia Garcete , 1886 , 1890 ,

Patricio Escobar Patricio Escobar (March 17, 1843 – April 19, 1912) was the President of Paraguay between November 25, 1886 and November 25, 1890. His life He was born in San José de los Arroyos on March 17, 1843. His parents were José Escobar and Ana Bella ...

, , - , , Rosa Peña Guanes , 1890 , 1894 ,

Juan Gualberto González Juan Gualberto González (July 12, 1851 – July 30, 1912) was the President of Paraguay and served from 1890 until his forced resignation in 1894. His life Juan Gualberto González was born in Asunción on July 12, 1851. He married with tea ...

, , - , , Ramona Bareiro Caballero , 1894 , 1894 ,

Marcos Morínigo Marcos Antonio Morínigo Fleytas (8 October 1848 – 13 July 1901) was a Paraguayan politician who served as President of Paraguay in 1894. He was born in 1848 in Quyquyho (Paraguarí department). In 1881, he was elected for his first term in ...

, , - , , Casiana Isasi , 1894 , 1898 ,

Juan Bautista Egusquiza Juan Bautista Egusquiza Isasi (25 August 1845, Asunción – 24 August 1902) was President of Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a ...

, , - , , ''Josefina Rivarola'' , 1898 , 1902 ,

Emilio Aceval Emilio Aceval Marín (October 16, 1853 – April 15, 1931) was President of Paraguay from 1898 to 1902. He was a member of the Colorado Party. Biography Aceval's parents were Don Leonardo Aceval and Ms Monica Marin. He studied under Fidel Maíz ...

, , - , , Margarita Salomoni , 1902 , 1902 ,

Andrés Héctor Carvallo Andrés Héctor Carvallo Acosta (8 November 1862, Asunción – 16 August 1934) was a Paraguayan politician. He served as President of the Chamber of Deputies.https://www.csj.gov.py/cache/lederes/R-1-011891-L-3-0.pdf Later he served as Vice Pre ...

, , - , , Josefa Rojas , 1902 , 1904 ,

Juan Antonio Escurra Juan Antonio Escurra (May 6, 1859 – August 24, 1929) was the President of Paraguay from 1902 to 1904. He was born on May 6, 1859 in Caraguatay, Cordillera department. He was married with Josefa M. Rojas, woman from a traditional family, who later ...

, , - , , Regina Corti Onetto , 1904 , 1905 , Juan Bautista Gaona , , - , , Marcelina Allende , 1905 , 1906 ,

Cecilio Báez Cecilio Báez González (January 1, 1862 – June 18, 1941) was provisional President of Paraguay from December 8, 1905 to November 25, 1906. He was a member of the Liberal Party. Early life and career Dr. Cecilio Báez González was born in As ...

, , - , , María del Carmen de la Mora Isasi , 1906 - 1908 , 1908 ,

Benigno Ferreira Benigno Asunción Ferreira (January 13, 1846 – June 14, 1920) was President of Paraguay November 25, 1906 – July 4, 1908. He was a member of the Liberal Party. The general and doctor Benigno Ferrerira was one of the main protagonists in the p ...

, , - , , Adela da Fontoura Lima , 1908 , 1910 ,

Emiliano González Navero Emiliano González Navero (16 June 1861 – 18 October 1934) was a Paraguayan politician of the Liberal Party, he served as President of Paraguay on three occasions and as Vice President of Paraguay on two occasions. His life He was one of the ...

, , - , , Emilia Victoria Alfaro , 1910 , 1911 ,

Manuel Gondra Manuel Gondra Pereira (1 January 1871 – 8 March 1927) was the 21st List of Presidents of Paraguay, President of Paraguay who served from 25 November 1910 to 11 January 1911 and again from 15 August 1920 to 31 October 1921. Born in Buenos Aire ...

, , - , , ''Vacant'' , August 15, 1916 , June 5, 1919 ,

Manuel Franco Manuel Franco (July 9, 1871 – June 5, 1919) was President of Paraguay from August 15, 1916, to June 5, 1919. Childhood and Youth Doctor Manuel Franco was born in Concepción on June 9, 1871, in times of the government of Cirilo Antonio Rivar ...

{''unmarried'') , , - , , Silvia Ester Heisecke , August 16, 1937 , August 15, 1939 ,

Félix Paiva Félix Paiva (21 February 1877, Caazapá, Caazapá Department – 2 November 1965, Asunción) was a Paraguayan politician from the Liberal Party. He studied law and worked as university teacher, rector of the University and president of the Sup ...

, , - , , Julia Miranda Cueto , August 15, 1939 , September 7, 1940 ,

José Félix Estigarribia José Félix Estigarribia Insaurralde (February 21, 1888 in Caraguatay – September 7, 1940 in Altos) was a Paraguayan military officer, politician and president. He was Commander in Chief of the Paraguayan Army during the Chaco War (1 ...

, , - , , Dolores Ferrari , September 7, 1940 , June 3, 1948 ,

Higinio Morínigo Higinio Nicolás Morínigo Martínez (January 11, 1897 – January 27, 1983) was a military officer, politician and Paraguayan dictator. He participated in the Chaco War (1932–1935) as a prominent officer of the Paraguayan Army. After the wa ...

, , - , , Escolástica Patiño (''deceased prior to presidency'') , September 11, 1949 , May 8, 1954 ,

Federico Chávez Federico Chávez Careaga (February 15, 1882 – April 24, 1978) was a Paraguayan politician and soldier who served as President of Paraguay from September 10, 1949, to May 4, 1954. He was a member of the Colorado Party. Early life Chávez wa ...

(''widowed'') , , - , , Lilia Isabel Arza , May 4, 1954 , August 15, 1954 ,

Tomás Romero Pereira Tomás Romero Pereira (October 4, 1886 – August 12, 1982) was President of Paraguay from May 4, 1954, to August 15, 1954. Associated with the Colorado Party and General Alfredo Stroessner He was a member of the Colorado Party. He came to p ...

, , - , , Ligia Stroessner , August 15, 1954 , February 3, 1989 ,

Alfredo Stroessner Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan army officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 to 3 February 1989. Stroessner led a coup d'état on 4 May 1954 with t ...

, , - , , Nélida Reig Castellanos , February 3, 1989 , August 15, 1993 ,

Andrés Rodríguez Pedotti Andres or Andrés may refer to: *Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US *Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France *Andres (name) *Hurricane Andres * "Andres" (song), a 1994 song by L7 See also ...

, , - , , María Teresa Carrasco , August 15, 1993 , August 15, 1998 ,

Juan Carlos Wasmosy Juan Carlos Wasmosy Monti (born December 15, 1938) was the president of Paraguay from August 15, 1992 until August 15, 1998. He was a member of the Colorado Party, and the country's first freely elected president, as well as the first civilian ...

, , - , , Mirtha Leonor Gusinky , August 15, 1998 , March 29, 1999 ,

Raúl Cubas Grau Raúl Alberto Cubas Grau (born August 23, 1943) is a Paraguayan politician who served as the President of Paraguay from 1998 until his resignation in 1999. Biography Cubas Grau studied Engineering at the National University of Asunción. He w ...

, , - , , Susana Galli Romañach , March 29, 1999 , August 15, 2003 ,

Luis Ángel González Macchi Luis Ángel González Macchi (born December 13, 1947, in Asunción) was the President of Paraguay from 1999 until 2003. Career He was the President of the Paraguayan Senate from 1998 to 1999. As the president of the Senate, González Macchi ...

, , - , , Gloria Penayo , August 15, 2003 , August 15, 2008 ,

Nicanor Duarte Frutos Óscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos (born 11 October 1956) is a Paraguayan politician who served as President of Paraguay from 2003 to 2008. In 2013, President Horacio Cartes appointed Duarte as Ambassador to Argentina, a diplomatic posting he held fro ...

, , - , , ''Vacant'' , August 15, 2008 , June 22, 2012 ,

, , - , , Emilia Alfaro , June 22, 2012 , August 15, 2013 ,

, , - , , ''Vacant'' , August 15, 2013 , August 15, 2018 ,

, , - ,

, Silvana López Moreira , August 15, 2018 , Present ,

, , -

References

External links

*
ABC Color: Galería de primeras damas paraguayas

Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

{{Paraguay-poli-stub