Wilma Pastrana Jiménez (born January 17, 1970) is a certified public accountant and wife of the former governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro García Padilla. Pastrana became the 13th First Lady of Puerto Rico on January 2, 2013, and took on programs to improve child education, health, and welfare on the island. She was elected as municipal legislator of Guaynabo in the 2024 general elections.
Wilma Pastrana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Municipal legislator of Guaynabo | |
| Assuming office January 2, 2025 | |
| First Lady of Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 2, 2013 – January 2, 2017 | |
| Governor | Alejandro García Padilla |
| Preceded by | Lucé Vela |
| Succeeded by | Beatriz Rosselló |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wilma Pastrana Jiménez January 17, 1970 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico |
| Spouse(s) | Alejandro García Padilla (m. 2001) |
| Children | Ana Patricia Juan Pablo Diego Alejandro |
| Residence | Caguas, Puerto Rico |
| Alma mater | Boston University (BBA) |
| Profession | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) |
Biography
editWilma Pastrana Jiménez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She grew up in Río Piedras and graduated with honors from the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Pilar. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Boston University before returning to Puerto Rico and obtaining a CPA license.[1]
Pastrana married Alejandro García Padilla on April 7, 2001.[2] They have three children: Ana, Juan Pablo, and Diego.
Pastrana worked with businesses and organizations such as Deloitte & Touche, GlaxoSmithKline, Panell Kerr and Foster, as well as the Puerto Rico Convention Center and the Tourism Company,[1] continuing even after she became first lady.[3] When her husband won the Governorship of the Island, Pastrana took on additional roles, including initiatives to reduce the dropout rate and spur educational development,[1] to combat childhood obesity and improve health[4] to provide safe spaces and developmental opportunities for children living with disabilities,[5] to teach nutrition and gardening skills throughout the country[6] and several other social service programs to build community.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Wilma Pastrana Jiménez, Primera Dama" (in Spanish). San Juan, Puerto Rico: Fortaleza. 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "De aniversario García Padilla". El Nuevo Día. 2011-04-07. Archived from the original on 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2019-08-25.
- ^ Rivera, Manuel Ernesto (31 August 2013). "Primera Dama asegura no usa escoltas para practicar su profesión de CPA" (in Spanish). San Juan, Puerto Rico: Noticel. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Puerto Rico's First Lady endorses PAHO plan of action on child obesity". Washington, D.C.: Pan American Health Organization. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "First Lady presents its series of projects for the four". Puerto Rico: El Mundo. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Celebran el éxito del programa de huertos escolares" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: Mi Puerto Rico Verde. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Se asoma a su nueva vida" (in Spanish). San Juan, Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Dia. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2015.