Romano was the president of the Mexican Foundation for the Development of Children and the Family during her time as First Lady.

[1] She also acted as head of the Mexican delegation to a special session of the UNICEF Executive Board.

She was the only family member of an international head of state to attend the event.

[1] In the 1970s, actress Sasha Montenegro maintained a relationship with José López Portillo, who was still married to Carmen Romano, with whom he had three children.

López Portillo obtained a divorce from Carmen Romano, and then married Montenegro in 1995.