De la Rosa was born Amira Hortensia Arrieta MacGregor in Barranquilla, Colombia, on 7 January 1895.

Her interest in writing and teaching began while receiving her primary and secondary education at La Presentación de Barranquilla.

[1][2] De la Rosa later traveled to Barcelona to study in an international course for training teachers managed by Maria Montessori.

[1] She is a recipient of the award Cruz de Boyacá [es], which was presented to her by Colombian president Guillermo Valencia.

[1] On the eve of her 126th birthday, in 2021, the Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Tourism of Barranquilla announced its plans to "exalt" De la Rosa's forgotten creative contributions to the city.