She refused to adopt the standard title of primera dama (first lady), preferring to be called compañera (meaning partner, companion, or comrade).

[3][4] She was the third of twelve children born to Carmen Arce, a homemaker, and José Guadalupe Zuno [es], a former governor of Jalisco.

[4] Reportedly, her birth certificate was signed by ex-president Álvaro Obregón, as well as future presidents Lázaro Cárdenas and Manuel Ávila Camacho.

[1] In this period, she undertook an intense endeavor to improve social welfare in the country, described by some as the greatest degree of involvement of a Mexican first lady since the time of Eva Sámano, the wife of President Adolfo López Mateos.

[4] Overall she promoted 23 social programs, including home construction, orchards, reforestation, drug dependence prevention, mental health care, special education, sports, and job training.