From an early age, she learned the importance of family solidarity and the dignity of helping others, hallmarks of her Italian heritage. These principles guided her throughout her life — from her early work as a teacher to her role as New York’s First Lady from 1983 to 1994, during the tenure of her husband, Governor Mario Cuomo.
As First Lady, Matilda became a powerful voice for mentoring and education, founding Mentoring USA, a program inspired by her belief in the Italian American tradition of nurturing the next generation through guidance and example. Her work expanded internationally, reflecting her conviction that the close-knit sense of responsibility she learned from her immigrant family was a universal value.
Matilda Cuomo often spoke with pride about her Italian roots, emphasizing how her parents’ sacrifices and cultural traditions instilled in her an unshakable sense of purpose and identity. She celebrated Italian American achievements and worked tirelessly to counter stereotypes, promoting a vision of her heritage as one defined by integrity, family devotion, and civic duty.
Now 94 years old, throughout her long life, Matilda Raffa Cuomo has embodied the virtues of her ancestry — strength, warmth, faith, and perseverance. Whether advocating for children, supporting her husband and sons in public life, or cherishing her extended family, she has stood as a shining example of Italian American pride and the enduring power of heritage to inspire service and leadership.
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