Ríos Sosa's father, a former Guatemalan army general and illegitimate President of Guatemala, was found guilty of genocide against the Ixil Maya and crimes against humanity.

Zury Ríos studied at schools in Guatemala and Spain, where her father was assigned as military attaché following the 1974 presidential election, a process tainted by accusations of electoral fraud in which he had been a candidate.

Her first job (1988–1989) was as a lecturer in social and economic studies at the Escuela Cristiana Verbo in Guatemala City and she has also worked as a primary school teacher.

Prior to her current union, she was married to Jeovanny Chávez, deputy José García Bravatti, and businessman Roberto López Villatoro.

In March 2006 the Wellers announced that she was pregnant,[4] and a daughter, Marizú Catherine, was born on 17 August 2006 in a Guatemala City hospital.

In 1989, Zury Ríos joined the public relations department of the newly-created Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG) in preparation for the 1990 presidential election.

Following the election, Zury Ríos worked as an administrative assistant to the FRG congressional bloc and as private secretary to the Speaker of Congress.

Much of her congressional work has focused on reproductive health issues, the HIV-AIDS situation, and combating tobacco use; some of her supporters see her as a potential future foreign minister or even president of the Republic.

Zury Ríos accompanied her father on his campaign trail, generally introducing him, in highly favorable terms, before he addressed his rallies.

Her candidacy for the 2019 presidential election was rejected due to a ban, since repealed, on former dictators and their close relatives running for the presidency.