The former First Lady of the Republic, Rosa Altagracia Gómez Arias, wife of former President Hipólito Mejía (2000-2004), died last night of a heart attack. She had turned 82 on 11 March 2022. Doña Rosa, as she was popularly known, was an active First Lady with intense actions in favor of children, social assistance and local development.
She was active backing her daughter, Mayor of the National District Carolina Mejía. Indeed, she suffered the heart attack when reading a speech during a city of Santo Domingo afternoon activity at the Museo Trampolin, the children’s museum in the Colonial City. The former first lady had been the founder of that museum.
For her solidarity and altruism, Doña Rosa received several honors and decorations, such as the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabel La Católica from King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the Doctorate Honoris Causa in Humanities from the Universidad Católica Tecnológica del Cibao (UCATECI), and the Paul Harris Button, the highest award granted by the International Rotary Foundation.
She is the mother of National District mayor Carolina Mejia, also of Ramón, Felipe and Lissa. She graduated in education from the state university (UASD). She had been married to Hipoólito Mejía since 1964.
Doña Rosa, as she was popularly known, was rushed to the Abreu Clinic, where, according to Dr. José Joaquín Puello, every effort was made to revive her. “We tried to revive her… When there is a heart attack of this nature, the heart suffers a lot,” Puello, told Listin Diario reporters.
President Luis Abinader said on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened by the death of our dear Mrs. Rosa Gomez de Mejia. May the Almighty have her in his glory. My deepest condolences to my friend Hipólito Mejía and to her children Ramón, Felipe, Carolina and Lissa. Peace to his soul, Doña Rosa”. He visited the former President at his home shortly after returning that evening from Costa Rica.
Doña Milagros Ortiz Bosch defined Doña Rosa as a gentle and sweet woman who was always on the good side of life. “We are all very hurt, something unexpected,” exclaimed the director of Government Ethics in tears.
Diario Libre editorialized that Rosa Gomez was: “A great lady, a great first lady, a great woman”.
The wake is at the Jardin Memorial at 2pm.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
N Digital
Noticias SIN
Diario Libre
22 March 2022