Her hands are like leather, her teeth are rotten and her thick, handknitted tights sit in wrinkles around her ankles.
Yet when Esther Morales walks through the streets of La Paz, smiles of fondness and respect spread all around. Since her younger brother, Evo, became Bolivia's first indigenous president six weeks ago the nation has dubbed her its Primera Dama (First Lady).
In the absence of a wife, Mr Morales - a former llama farmer and coca grower - has said he would like his 55-year-old sister, who is nine years his senior and brought him up after their mother died, to take the role.
The position has yet to be formally filled but on Wednesday Dona Esther shut her llama meat business in the small town of Oruro, put on a smart dress and gold jewellery, and caught a bus to the presidential palace to stand alongside Mr Morales for a ceremony honouring women.
"They told me it's my first official function, although I haven't been confirmed as First Lady yet," she said. "I've been having to learn all the protocol. I don't think I'll ever wear make-up or high heels. They'll just have to take me as I am."
Her elevation is a strong indication that her brother aims to define his period in power as the peasant presidency. Dona Esther is expected to represent the feminine side of his project, to become a mother figure to the poor.
Many in Mr Morales's cabinet have been politicians only for the past six weeks. Before that they were peasants and union leaders who grew coca to feed their families.
Even so, there is resistance in the government to this tough, mountain woman being First Lady. "They don't want me there watching for the ones who are corrupt," she said.
When she talks of travelling, her eyes light up. But, having left school at eight and had six children, Dona Esther has a lot to learn about the world beyond the Andes.
She is not sure where England is, but understood when told it is near France. She would like to take up a recent invitation to Korea. "I didn't know there was a North and South. I thought it was all one thing."
"I don't think (US President George) Bush likes us. But I would like to meet him," she said. "I want to help all the poor people who live in America too. I always thought everyone there was rich. But now I've heard that's not true."
The country is abuzz with hope that Mr Morales will bring stability, prosperity and social justice to the poorest country in South America.
There is more trust in the new leader than any before, because of his humble background and the colour of his skin. Over 70 per cent of Bolivians are indigenous Indians but previous rulers have all been white, Spanish descendants.
Mr Morales, who is friends with Venezuela's America-baiting president Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, was elected promising to nationalise the country's vast natural reserves so the people - not the multinationals - could reap the rewards.
He also promised to end US efforts to eradicate the main source of income for many peasants, the coca leaf, traditionally chewed to fend off sleep and hunger but also used to make cocaine.
Yet the pressure is already on for the inexperienced president to produce results. Mr Morales has hardly slept or eaten in recent weeks, those close to him say.
"I thought if he was elected, we'd drink lots and jump up and down," said Dona Esther. "In fact I'm just sick with worry."
