Ursula von der Leyen

Politician, Physician

German Brussels, Belgium

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician, Physician
NationalityGerman
Date of Birth08/10/1958
Age67 years
BirthplaceBrussels, Belgium

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Bio/Wiki

SummaryGerman politician and physician who became the first woman to serve as President of the European Commission in December 2019. Born in Brussels to German parents, she had a career spanning medicine and politics, serving as Germany's first female Defence Minister before her election to lead the European Commission.

Educational Qualification(s)

Medical DegreeDr. med.

Personal Life

Marital StatusMarried
Children7

Relationships & More

FatherErnst Albrecht, former Premier of Lower Saxony

Family

Maiden NameAlbrecht
ParentsGerman parents, father Ernst Albrecht was one of the first European civil servants

Career

Political PartyCDU
Party Membership Since1990
Political Career Start2003
Key Positions
  • Lower Saxony Minister for Social Affairs, Women, Families and Health (2003-2005)
  • Federal Minister for Families (2005-2009)
  • Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs (2009-2013)
  • Deputy Chairwoman of CDU (2010-2019)
  • Federal Minister of Defence (2013-2019)
  • President of the European Commission (December 2019-present)
  • EPP top candidate for European Parliament elections (2024)
Notable AchievementFirst woman to serve as Germany's Defence Minister; First woman to be elected President of the European Commission

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Transitioned from medicine to politics comparatively late in life at age 43
2. Lobbied for lowering immigration barriers for skilled foreign workers
3. Advocated for market-based minimum wage negotiated between unions and employers
4. Focused on combating elderly poverty and implementing UN disability rights convention
5. Was the only minister to remain with Chancellor Merkel from 2005 until her 2019 appointment to the European Commission
6. Narrowly confirmed as European Commission President with 383 of 747 votes on July 16, 2019
7. Re-elected for a second mandate by the European Parliament in July 2024
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