In Colombia, the title of First Lady of the Nation is bestowed upon the wife of the incumbent president. It is a ceremonial and honorary position; as she is not considered a government official, her work focuses on leading or supporting social assistance programs aimed at the well-being of children, women, the elderly, and victims of disasters.
Traditionally, each First Lady has championed specific causes and is responsible for fulfilling duties at official ceremonies, diplomatic receptions, and international engagements. Given that her role carries significant symbolic and social weight, many Colombians are wondering what will become of this title over the next four years.
This curiosity stems from the almost total absence of Verónica Alcocer during Gustavo Petro’s presidential term; amidst the performance of the duties inherent to the office—and following several scandals—their separation was confirmed. For this reason, Colombians are not only awaiting the election results to discover their next head of state, but also to meet the next First Lady and learn what role she will play during her time in the Casa de Nariño.
One of the most prominent names tipped to win the presidential election—according to various polls conducted nationwide—is Iván Cepeda, the left-wing candidate backed by the current president. Consequently, many are asking who his partner is and what role she might fulfill during the 2026–2030 term.
Pilar Rueda is the wife of Senator and presidential candidate Iván Cepeda; she maintains a low profile throughout the election campaign and on her social media channels.
Her professional career centers on the defense of human rights, gender justice, and providing support to victims of the armed conflict. One of her most high-profile moments occurred when she actively participated in the peace process with the FARC, providing counsel on the gender perspective within the agreement negotiated in Havana. Since March 6, 2018, Rueda has been affiliated with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), where she serves as an advisor in the Investigation and Prosecution Unit, contributing to investigations related to sexual violence, women’s rights, and victim protection.
Her curriculum vitae, published on the JEP website, highlights that she is an anthropologist from the National University and holds a Master’s degree in International Conflict and Peace Studies—with an emphasis on Human Rights, Justice, and Gender—from the University of Notre Dame.
