Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician who has served as the President of the European Commission since December 2019 [1]. She is the first woman to hold the post and was re-elected by the European Parliament for a second five-year term in July 2024 [1][2].
Born in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958, von der Leyen studied economics and medicine, graduating as a licensed physician before entering German federal politics [1]. A prominent member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), she served continuously in the cabinet of Chancellor Angela Merkel from 2005 to 2019 [2]. Her ministerial tenures included Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2005–2009), Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (2009–2013), and Federal Minister of Defence (2013–2019), where she was also the first woman to hold the defense portfolio [1][2].
As President of the European Commission, von der Leyen has overseen major structural policy initiatives and managed significant geopolitical and domestic crises [1]. Under her leadership, the EU launched the European Green Deal, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, and created the €800 billion NextGenerationEU recovery package to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [1][2]. Her tenure has also been defined by the EU's response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, during which her administration facilitated multiple sanctions packages against Russia, coordinated military and financial assistance to Kyiv, and granted Ukraine EU candidate status [2].Profile generated 8/9/2026 · Compiled from public web sources.
