Lis Cuesta Peraza
Lis Cuesta Peraza
Full Name: Lis Cuesta Peraza
Native Name: Lis Cuesta Peraza
Role: First Lady of Cuba (de facto)
- Spouse: Miguel Díaz-Canel
Children: Two
Nationality: Cuban
Years Active as First Lady: 19 April 2018–present
Introduction
As the wife of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta Peraza serves as Cuba’s de facto First Lady. Although the title of First Lady was abolished following the Cuban Revolution and is not an official constitutional position, Cuesta has been publicly treated as the presidential spouse and has accompanied Díaz-Canel on official visits and diplomatic occasions. �
CBS News +1
Her emergence as First Lady marked a notable change in Cuba’s approach to the presidential spouse. Cuban state media began referring to her as the country’s First Lady, making her the first presidential wife in decades to publicly assume the designation. �
Wikipedia
With a professional background in culture and tourism, Cuesta has developed a public profile focused on cultural diplomacy, international representation, and support for social and cultural initiatives.
Official Title: First Lady of the Republic of Cuba (De Facto)
Cuba does not formally recognize a constitutional office of First Lady. Nevertheless, Lis Cuesta Peraza performs many of the functions traditionally associated with the position.
She accompanies President Díaz-Canel during international visits, participates in official diplomatic events, and meets foreign leaders and their spouses. Her public appearances have given Cuba’s presidential family a more visible presence in international diplomacy. �
CBS News +1
Early Life
Lis Cuesta Peraza was born on 28 March 1971 in Holguín, Cuba.
She studied at the University of Holguín and developed a professional career in the cultural and tourism sectors. Before becoming internationally known as the President’s wife, she worked in cultural tourism and held positions connected with Cuba’s Ministry of Culture.
Her professional background has strongly influenced the causes and activities associated with her public role.
Family Life
Lis Cuesta is married to Miguel Díaz-Canel, who has served as President of Cuba since 2018 and as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the country’s most senior political position.
The couple have no children together, although Cuesta has two children from a previous relationship. Her son, Miguel Anido Cuesta, has also attracted international attention because of his association with the presidential family.
Becoming First Lady
On 19 April 2018, Miguel Díaz-Canel became President of Cuba, succeeding Raúl Castro, and Lis Cuesta assumed the role of presidential spouse.
Her emergence was historically significant because the title of First Lady had largely disappeared from official Cuban public life after the Revolution. Cuesta became the first presidential wife in decades to be openly referred to as First Lady by Cuban state media. �
Wikipedia +1
Public Role
As de facto First Lady, Lis Cuesta has accompanied Díaz-Canel on international state visits and participated in diplomatic ceremonies involving foreign heads of state and their spouses.
Her background in tourism and culture has made cultural diplomacy an important part of her public identity. She has represented Cuba at cultural events and international engagements, helping promote Cuban heritage and the country’s cultural image abroad. �
Reuters Connect
A Distinctive Cuban First Lady
Lis Cuesta occupies an unusual position among the world’s First Ladies because the title itself is not formally recognized in Cuba.
Her role is therefore largely ceremonial and diplomatic rather than constitutional. Nevertheless, her appearances alongside Díaz-Canel have made her an important part of Cuba’s international representation and have restored visibility to the concept of a presidential spouse within the Cuban state.
Legacy in Progress
Since 2018, Lis Cuesta Peraza has become one of the most recognizable women associated with Cuba’s contemporary leadership.
Her tenure represents a notable departure from the decades in which Cuba’s presidential spouses largely avoided the First Lady designation. Through cultural diplomacy, international appearances, and support for her husband’s official engagements, she has helped establish a distinctly Cuban interpretation of the First Lady role—one shaped by culture, diplomacy, discretion, and the country’s unique political traditions.
- 28 March 1971
- Cuba
- Miguel Díaz-Canel
- 19 April 2019-present
