Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen, born October 8, 1958, in Brussels, Belgium, is a German physician and politician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019, the first woman to hold this position. She studied economics at the London School of Economics in 1978 and subsequently earned a Doctor of Medicine degree with specialization in gynecology from Hanover Medical School. Von der Leyen completed her medical studies in 1987, earned a doctorate in medicine in 1991, and obtained a Master of Public Health in 2001.

Her political career began later than her medical career, joining the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1990 and entering politics in Lower Saxony in 1996. Von der Leyen served as Germany's Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth from 2005 to 2009, then as Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs from 2009 to 2013, before becoming the first woman to serve as Germany's Federal Minister for Defence from 2013 to 2019. As President of the European Commission, her priorities have included addressing gender equality within the EU and tackling the climate crisis with the European Green Deal.

Career history

• President of the European Commission (December 2019–present); re-elected for a second 5-year term in July 2024
• Federal Minister for Defence, Germany (December 2013–July 2019)
• Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany (2009–2013)
• Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Germany (2005–2009)
• Faculty member at Hannover Medical School, Department of Epidemiology, Social Medicine, and Health Systems Research (1998–2002)

What Ursula von der Leyen could bring to the European Commission: Her dual background as both a trained physician and experienced senior government minister positions her uniquely to address complex policy challenges requiring both technical understanding and political acumen. Having steered the EU through COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the energy crisis, von der Leyen brings proven crisis management experience and a demonstrated commitment to advancing European strategic autonomy, digital transformation, and climate action. Her advocacy for gender equality and experience modernizing defense and social policy positions her to continue advancing inclusive, sustainable governance across the Union.