Colombia's New First Lady Veronica Alcocer: Get to Know President Gustavo Petro's Wife

Gustavo Petro was recently sworn in as the new president of Colombia, making him the first left-wing leader of the Andean country.

During the campaign, Petro was constantly joined by his wife, Veronica Alcocer. At the time, Alcocer said she was on a personal project "trying to build a name," according to CNN Espanol.

Petro and Alcocer first met in early 2000 when he traveled to Sincelejo to give a lecture at the Caribbean University Corporation.

Alcocer was studying law at the time after several attempts that she never completed. The first lady of Colombia earlier told Blu Radio that there was no exchange of words between them. She said Petro just threw a compliment and went on his way.

Alcocer was from a conservative family, which became the biggest challenge for the couple. Alcocer's father, Jorge Emilio Alcocer, was a great admirer of the conservative politician, Alvaro Gomez.

On the other hand, Gustavo Petro was a former member of the M-19 guerilla group.

Gustavo Petro and Veronica Alcocer Marriage

Veronica Alcocer was born in Sincelejo and studied law at the Caribbean University Corporation in her hometown.

Gustavo Petro and Veronica Alcocer were married in 2003 and then had a son named Nicholas. It was followed by two daughters, Sofia and Antonella, as World Stock Market reported.

Petro has several children from his previous marriages. The couple has been together for almost 20 years.

Alcocer has dedicated herself to taking care of their family. Colombia's first lady said she did not marry Petro "because of politics, but because I fell in love."

El Pais reported that Alcocer had a traditional Catholic education and was in a school of Franciscan nuns. Alcocer once said she wanted to be a nun when she was 15.

She added that Petro's life has been a life of service and was the best example of a "Christian person."

Veronica Alcocer said she loves it as it was connected to what she lived as a young woman.

Veronica Alcocer as Colombia's First Lady

Veronica Alcocer noted that as a first lady, she wants to be with people and "not encapsulated at parties."

She said she wanted to be where she was needed, whether on the street or in the neighborhood.

Alcocer noted that she wanted to be for everyone, from the one who has the least to the one who has the most, as everyone suffers violence.

Alcocer said she admires former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama "for her closeness and simplicity." She also cited the wife of former President Cesar Gaviria, Ana Millena Munoz, for her connectedness to the area of culture.

She also mentioned Princess Diana and Mother Teresa of Calcutta as two figures she admires.

Veronica Alcocer recently stole the spotlight during her husband's inauguration after she broke protocol and started dancing in her white dress.

She was then joined by other people on the dance floor and started to dance.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Veronica Alcocer Esposa De Petro: Colombia Sufre Hambre, Violencia, Desigualdad - From CNN en Espanol