Flor María Chalbaud

Flor María Chalbaud
Flor Chalbaud in 1955
First Lady of Venezuela
In office 2 December 1952 – 23 January 1958
President	Marcos Pérez Jiménez
Preceded by	Rosario Pérez de Suárez
Succeeded by	Mercedes María de Larrazábal
Personal details
Born	Flor María Chalbaud Cardona (1921-07-03)July 3, 1921 Caracas, Venezuela
Died	January 12, 2013(2013-01-12) (aged 91)
Spouse	Marcos Pérez Jiménez ​ ​ (m. 1945)​
Children	4
Parent(s)	Antonio Chalbaud Cardona Angelina Castro Tejera

Flor María Chalbaud Castro (3 July 1921 – 12 January 2013) was First Lady of Venezuela between 2 December 1952 and 23 January 1958 and one of the founders of the Bolivarian Ladies Society.

On 4 February 1945, Chalbaud married General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, and was First Lady of Venezuela during his presidency between 2 December 1952 and 23 January 1958.^[1] She was first cousin of president Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Delgado Chalbaud. During the presidency of Pérez Jiménez, she was best known in the national media for her role at official diplomatic events in which she presided or took part with the formal name "Doña Flor María Chalbaud Cardona de Pérez Jiménez".^[2]

Chalbaud took part in the creation of the Bolivarian Ladies Society, which from then on was customarily led by the Venezuelan first lady. The goal of the organization was to "guarantee by all means possible the assistance of Venezuelan mothers and children, and to dedicate itself to other types of social security." Between 1953 and 1954, the organization began endeavors around the country such as kindergartens, schools, playgrounds and maternal centers. It also delivered toys to children on special days, among other activities.^[3]

Chalbaud remained with Pérez Jiménez during his trials on embezzlement charges in the 1960s and his years of exile in Spain, until he died in Alcobendas. She died in January 2013 at the age of 91.^[4]