Jeannette Ramos
Encyclopedia
Jeannette Ramos Buonomo is a former Puerto Rican
judge and First Lady
. She was the second wife of former Governor of Puerto Rico
Roberto Sánchez Vilella
, and served as First Lady since their marriage in 1967 to 1969. She is also known for being the daughter of known politician Ernesto Ramos Antonini
, one of the co-founders of the Popular Democratic Party
(PPD).
and educator Josefina Buonomo. She has a sister called Ivette. She grew up in the Floral Park
neighborhood of Hato Rey
, Puerto Rico
. During her childhood, she has said she was victim of racism
from friends and neighbors.
When she was young, she traveled with her family to Europe
, including England
and the Netherlands
. During a visit to a nightclub, she met Dutch
Wouter Bordewijk. They fell in love and married when she was 18 years old. They lived in the Netherlands for 8 years, and had two children together: Wouter Ernesto and Robert Paul.
. While here, she started studying law, despite the opposition of her parents. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico
, where she met Harold Toro, a fellow law student. They married in 1964, but divorced two years later. During this time, she also started working as a Special Aide to the Governor Roberto Sánchez Vilella
.
, in the middle of his term as Governor. The next year, he married Jeannette Ramos, which led many people to believe they were having an affair. However, Ramos has denied it, but admits that they did fall in love. The difference in ages (Sánchez was 55, Ramos was 35) also stunned Puerto Ricans. After their marriage, Ramos assumed the role of First Lady of Puerto Rico
until the end of Sánchez' term in 1969. Ramos and Sánchez had two children: Roberto José
and Olga Elizabeth.
, Ramos started her own professional career in law. She worked as a judge on the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
. As such, she presided over the Commission for the Judicial Branch Restructuring, which originated the Appeals Court itself. She then worked at the Appeals Court from 1985 to 2000
When Sánchez Vilella died in 1997, she married the following year to a doctor, José Rivera.
In 2011, Ramos released a book called Intima, where she shares details of her life.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
judge and First Lady
First Lady of Puerto Rico
First Lady of Puerto Rico is the title traditionally given to the spouse of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The current First Lady is Lucé Vela.-Current:...
. She was the second wife of former Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella was the second Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1969. He was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico...
, and served as First Lady since their marriage in 1967 to 1969. She is also known for being the daughter of known politician Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Ernesto Ramos Antonini was the President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and co-founder of the Partido Popular Democrático de Puerto Rico .-Early years:...
, one of the co-founders of the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
(PPD).
Early years and marriage
Jeannette Ramos was born to politician Ernesto Ramos AntoniniErnesto Ramos Antonini
Ernesto Ramos Antonini was the President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and co-founder of the Partido Popular Democrático de Puerto Rico .-Early years:...
and educator Josefina Buonomo. She has a sister called Ivette. She grew up in the Floral Park
Floral Park (Hato Rey)
Floral Park is one of the 12 sectors of Hato Rey....
neighborhood of Hato Rey
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Hato Rey is a former ward located in the northwest part of the dissolved municipality of Río Piedras. It now stretches over three wards of the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico:*Hato Rey Central*Hato Rey Norte*Hato Rey Sur...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. During her childhood, she has said she was victim of racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
from friends and neighbors.
When she was young, she traveled with her family to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, including England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. During a visit to a nightclub, she met Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
Wouter Bordewijk. They fell in love and married when she was 18 years old. They lived in the Netherlands for 8 years, and had two children together: Wouter Ernesto and Robert Paul.
Return to Puerto Rico
Ramos and Bordewijk divorced, and she decided to return to Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. While here, she started studying law, despite the opposition of her parents. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
, where she met Harold Toro, a fellow law student. They married in 1964, but divorced two years later. During this time, she also started working as a Special Aide to the Governor Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella was the second Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1969. He was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico...
.
First Lady of Puerto Rico
In 1966, Sánchez Vilella divorced his wife Conchita DapenaConchita Dapena
Conchita Dapena was the wife of former Governor of Puerto Rico Roberto Sánchez Vilella and served as First Lady from 1965 until their divorce in 1966....
, in the middle of his term as Governor. The next year, he married Jeannette Ramos, which led many people to believe they were having an affair. However, Ramos has denied it, but admits that they did fall in love. The difference in ages (Sánchez was 55, Ramos was 35) also stunned Puerto Ricans. After their marriage, Ramos assumed the role of First Lady of Puerto Rico
First Lady of Puerto Rico
First Lady of Puerto Rico is the title traditionally given to the spouse of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The current First Lady is Lucé Vela.-Current:...
until the end of Sánchez' term in 1969. Ramos and Sánchez had two children: Roberto José
Roberto Sánchez Ramos
Roberto Sanchez Ramos is the former Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, appointed in 2005 by Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. Before becoming Secretary of Justice, Sanchez Ramos served as Solicitor General of Puerto Rico. He is the son of former Governor of Puerto Rico Roberto Sánchez Vilella...
and Olga Elizabeth.
Professional career
After their time in La FortalezaLa Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina . It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World...
, Ramos started her own professional career in law. She worked as a judge on the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is the highest court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, having judicial authority within Puerto Rico to interpret and decide questions of Commonwealth law. As the highest body of the judicial branch of the Puerto Rican government, it is analogous to one of the...
. As such, she presided over the Commission for the Judicial Branch Restructuring, which originated the Appeals Court itself. She then worked at the Appeals Court from 1985 to 2000
When Sánchez Vilella died in 1997, she married the following year to a doctor, José Rivera.
In 2011, Ramos released a book called Intima, where she shares details of her life.