Teresa Pizarro de Angulo

Biography

Pizarro de Angulo was born in Cartagena, the daughter of Edmundo Pizarro and Constancia Pareja. Her parents died when Pizarro de Angulo was still a child, so Pizarro de Angulo moved with her grandparents. She had four sisters.

Pizarro de Angulo began working in farms as a youngster to provide her family with economic support. She eventually became the first female farm owner in Cartagena.

Pizarro de Angulo was a member of Cartagena's Lions Club chapter. Her participation in that club helped her gain popularity among Cartagena's residents. Pizarro de Angulo was involved in the development of a medical clinic that was operated by Cartagena's Lions Club.

In 1957, Pizarro de Angulo was voted vice-president of the Junta Nacional de Belleza, which oversees the Miss Colombia contest. With her election as vice-president of that organization, Pizarro de Angulo began her involvement with the Miss Universe contest.

Although Pizarro de Angulo did not become president of the Junta Nacional de Belleza until 1977, she became president of Miss Colombia during the 1950s. As president of Miss Colombia, Pizarro de Angulo established beneficial funds that helped children and elder organizations. She turned the contest's swimsuit competition into a charitable event, with the money received destined to those organizations.

Pizarro de Angulo acquired a home in Cartagena and turned it into Miss Colombia contest's host building. In 1996, Pizarro de Angulo was named President Emeritus of the Junta Nacional de Belleza. She left her son, Raimundo Angulo, at the helm of the organization, however, because she was beginning to face health problems. She kept an active social life, attending multiple events and making public appearances, but her health kept deteriorating after she retired from the Junta Nacional de Belleza.

Pizarro de Angulo developed lung problems, which eventually led to her death.