Zuluaga was born in Manizales, Colombia (Department of Caldas) as a small child and grew up there.

Zuluaga finished as first runner-up, however before the pageant, the winner, Doris Gil Santamaria got married.

Miss Universe personnel feared for her safety because at the time Colombia was going through a period of extreme political volatility.

After years outside the spotlight, Zuluaga made headlines again when she married a medical doctor and moved to the United States.

In 1966, she returned to Manizales and became involved with the city council as well as with the state's institute of tourism, of which she eventually became director.