Life and Work of Olga Goizueta

April 18, 1934 – November 16, 2015

Olga Casteleiro de Goizueta, known as Olguita to her family and closest friends, was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1934. As a teenager, she met the love of her life, Roberto C. Goizueta, and the two married in June 1953. Seven years later, following Fidel Castro’s rise to power, Roberto, Olga and their three children fled to the United States. They first settled in Miami and lived in Nassau, Bahamas, before adopting Atlanta as their new hometown. The couple had a fourth child in the U.S. in 1966, but tragically, Carlos passed away of leukemia in 1970.

A devoted wife and mother, Olga raised her children with love, grace and humor and steadfastly supported her husband. As Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Roberto Goizueta frequently traveled internationally on business, often with Olga by his side. In leadership positions of her own, Olga advanced the missions of the Atlanta History Center, the Latin American Association, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art, among others. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Emory University, was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta and frequently visited the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia.

Following the unexpected passing of her husband, Olga stepped up as trustee and chairman of The Goizueta Foundation, carrying on Roberto’s legacy. In this role and her other community service positions, Olga became well-known for her intelligence, generosity and quick wit. She influenced those around her for the better with her wisdom, affection, insight and unwavering faith. Her own legacy lives on through the family foundation, her children and her nine grandchildren.