The first lady is not an elected position; He does not perform official duties nor receive a salary.

Traditionally, the first lady does not hold outside employment while in office, during her time in the role.The First Lady of the Nation also usually carries with honors the board of trustees of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, a child protection institute, founded in 1968 by the 22nd president Carlos Lleras Restrepo, the main promoter being his wife, the first lady Cecilia de la Fuente de Lleras.

Following Gustavo Petro's inauguration on August 7, 2022, his wife, Verónica Alcocer, became the 34th official first lady.

The First Lady who died most recently was Cecilia Caballero Blanco, married to Alfonso López Michelsen.

Listed below are all the First ladies of Colombia since its creation in 1886, 33 of them were married to the current president, one of them acting, and only one has died in office.