Born in Lima in 1944. She is a Psychology graduate from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. She has a Master’s in Family Therapy and a doctorate in Psychology. 35 years ago she founded the NGO CEDRO, which promotes the development of physical and mental health. She is currently the organization’s Executive Director. During two periods in government, she was the head of DEVIDA, the highest body in terms of determining drugs policy. She is a devoted reader and student of the piano. She won the World of Children Award for her work supporting young people. She is the mother of the photographer Renzo Uccelli, who died in the Amazon region in 2002. She is the grandmother of two university students.