Ursula von der Leyen: The First Female President of the European Commission

Early Life and Career

Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen was born on October 8, 1958, in Brussels, Belgium. She is the eldest of seven children of Ernst Albrecht, a German politician, and Heidemarie von der Leyen, a German artist.

Von der Leyen studied medicine at the Hannover Medical School and worked as a physician before entering politics. She joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1990 and served in various government positions, including Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth from 2005 to 2009.

President of the European Commission

In 2019, von der Leyen was appointed by national leaders and elected by the European Parliament to become the President of the European Commission. She is the first woman to hold this position.

Challenges and Accomplishments

As President of the European Commission, von der Leyen has faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the UK's exit from the European Union. She has also led efforts to address climate change, promote economic growth, and strengthen the EU's role in the world.