Guatemala’s First Lady, Lucrecia Peinado is a medical doctor with a lifelong
commitment to improving people’s lives through health and social development. At 64
years old, she is the proud mother of three and grandmother of six.
Originally trained as an anesthesiologist, Dr. Peinado transitioned nearly 30 years ago
into managing health and development intervention programs both in Guatemala and
internationally. Her passion for service led her to work with organizations such as
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The Global Fund,
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Union for International
Cancer Control (UICC), and The World Organization of the Scout Movement. She has
also worked as an independent consultant with firms like Palladium, Chemonics,
among others.
Dr. Lucrecia Peinado met her husband, President Bernardo Arévalo, in 1999 while
both were working with United Nations agencies. Both worked from 2005 til 2014 in
Geneva, Switzerland, before returning to Guatemala to support civil society efforts,
political reform, and the eventual creation of political party “Semilla”.
Since January 2024, as First Lady of Guatemala, Dr. Peinado is leading national
efforts to strengthen social protection for vulnerable populations. She coordinates the
Secretaría de Bienestar Social (Secretariat of Social Welfare, per its name in
Spanish, SBS) and the Secretaría de Obras Sociales de la Esposa del Presidente
(Secretariat of Social Works of the President’s Spouse, per its name in Spanish,
SOSEP). Her main areas of focus include:
● Promoting the rights of people with disabilities
● Expanding access to mental health services
● Supporting early childhood education
● Empowering women entrepreneurs
● Promoting youth leadership
● Ensuring dignity and care for the elderly
Dr. Peinado believes deeply in equity, dignity, and the power of communities to
transform their own realities. She brings empathy, professionalism, and a strong
sense of purpose to her role as First Lady, always guided by a human rights-centered
approach.