80s Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Drowning Accident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died at 54 during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner drowned after being caught in a rip tide while swimming at Cocles Beach and could not be revived by rescuers.

Joining “The Cosby Show” at 14, Warner’s performance from 1984 to 1992 helped transform television’s portrayal of Black families. His nuanced depiction of a middle-class teenager earned him an Emmy nomination and broadened the landscape for Black actors on prime time TV.

Warner remained active beyond his breakout role, starring in “Malcolm & Eddie,” recurring on “Reed Between the Lines” and “The Resident,” and voicing a character in “The Magic School Bus.” He also directed multiple television episodes and championed diversity and inclusion in entertainment.

He is survived by his family, including his daughter. Warner’s work and advocacy leave an enduring influence on American television.

 

Marita Camacho Quirós, Costa Rica’s Former First Lady and Oldest Citizen, Dies at 114

Marita Camacho Quirós, Costa Rica’s former First Lady and the nation’s oldest person on record, passed away on June 20, 2025, in San José at the age of 114. Her extraordinary life, spanning over a century, left an enduring mark on Costa Rican history through her public service and social advocacy.

Born on March 10, 1911, in San Ramón, Alajuela Province, to farmers Salustio Camacho and Zeneida Quirós, she was the seventh daughter in her family. On April 16, 1932, she married Francisco Orlich Bolmarcich, a businessman and politician who later became Costa Rica’s 34th president from 1962 to 1966. Together, they adopted two children, Francisco José and Mauricio Orlich Camacho.

As First Lady, Camacho Quirós made history by joining her husband at the 1962 presidential handover ceremony, a first for Costa Rica. She devoted herself to improving children’s welfare, promoting shelters, schools, canteens, and community centers nationwide. Her efforts were pivotal in establishing the Hospital Nacional de Niños in 1964, and she supported housing initiatives for underprivileged families through Costa Rican Social Security. On the international stage, she accompanied President Orlich on key visits, meeting figures like Pope John XXIII, Francisco Franco, and U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Camacho Quirós became a supercentenarian on March 10, 2021, reaching age 110, a milestone no other First Lady in history had achieved. In March 2023, she celebrated her 112th birthday, becoming the first Costa Rican to reach that age. She continued to break records, reaching 113 and 114, and at the time of her death was Costa Rica’s oldest living person, the world’s oldest former First Lady, and the ninth-oldest person globally.

Outliving her husband by over 55 years, she remained a symbol of resilience and service and a link to an era past. 

Former Costa Rican First Lady Marita Camacho Quiros Celebrates 113th Birthday

Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós, the former First Lady of Costa Rica, celebrated her 113th birthday today. Born on March 10, 1911, in San Ramón, she married businessman and politician Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich, a descendant of Croatian immigrants, who became president of Costa Rica in 1962, serving until 1966. Both shared March 10 as their birthday. 

During her husband's presidency, she promoted children's education and shelters throughout the country. She and her husband also met US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on official state visits.

Her husband died a few years after leaving office at 62 in 1969. Now at 113, Camacho Quirós is the world's oldest former first lady ever, the oldest living Costa Rican, and the 28th oldest living person in the world. She is the oldest living person who remains notable for reasons other than their longevity. 

Camacho Quirós in 1962
Credit: US State Department

More information on her life and images of her throughout her life can be found on her Gerontology Fandom page.