Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, née Albrecht, was born on October 8, 1958, in Ixelles, Brussels, where her father was working as one of the first European civil servants, which underscores her deep-rooted connection to European integration from an early age. Raised bilingually in German and French, she moved to Germany in 1971.
Von der Leyen's educational background is quite extensive and international—she studied economics at the University of Göttingen and the London School of Economics before switching to medicine and earning an MD from Hanover Medical School.
Von der Leyen entered politics in the late 1990s, initially engaging in local politics in Lower Saxony.
Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2005-2009): In this role, she focused on reforming policies related to childcare, parental leave, and family welfare. Notably, she faced resistance when pushing for a more generous and inclusive parental leave policy, akin to those in Scandinavia.
Von der Leyen continued her advocacy for social policies by introducing reforms aimed at improving job security and addressing unemployment.
As the first woman to serve as Germany’s Defence Minister, von der Leyen advocated for increased military spending and a stronger global stance for Germany within NATO. Her tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the German military and make it more attractive as a career choice for young people.
Von der Leyen assumed office as the President of the European Commission on December 1, 2019, after a noteworthy election where she was the candidate proposed by the European Council, succeeding Jean-Claude Juncker. Her presidency has been characterized by a strong focus on several key areas.
Perhaps her most ambitious initiative, the Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient economy by making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. This policy encompasses a broad range of activities from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, and preserving Europe’s natural environment.
Von der Leyen has pushed for the digital transformation of Europe’s economy to enhance competitiveness on the global stage. This includes both regulatory measures to ensure fair competition in the digital market and initiatives to improve digital skills among the EU populace.
Under her leadership, the Commission has played a central role in coordinating the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the procurement of vaccines and the establishment of a recovery plan to rebuild the EU’s economies post-pandemic.
Von der Leyen has been active in defining a role for the EU on the global stage, dealing with challenges related to Brexit, relations with Russia and China, and reinforcing the transatlantic partnership with the United States.
Von der Leyen is married to Heiko von der Leyen, a professor of medicine, and they have seven children, which has influenced her policies on family and childcare. Her family background—being the daughter of Ernst Albrecht, a prominent European civil servant and politician—has played a significant role in shaping her European and international outlook.
Von der Leyen has been recognized for her leadership and was named the world's most powerful woman by Forbes in 2022 and 2023. This accolade highlights her influence and the impact of her policies not only in Europe but globally.
Ursula von der Leyen's career represents a blend of steadfast commitment to European integration, progressive social policies, and a proactive approach to global challenges, making her one of the most influential figures in contemporary European politics. Ursula von der Leyen’s policies as President of the European Commission reflect her broad vision for a unified, resilient, and competitive European Union.
Her policy agenda addresses a wide range of issues including climate change, digital transformation, social equity, and global diplomacy.
One of von der Leyen’s flagship initiatives is the European Green Deal, which she introduced with the aim of transforming the European Union into the world’s first climate-neutral bloc by 2050. This comprehensive plan covers all sectors of the economy, particularly transport, energy, agriculture, buildings, and industries such as steel, cement, ICT, textiles, and chemicals.
Key components include Emission Reduction, Increasing the EU’s climate target for 2030 towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels. Biodiversity, The Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems.
Farm to Fork Strategy, this strategy addresses the challenges of sustainable food systems and aims to ensure food security, nutrition, and public health, making sure that the environmental and climate ambitions of the Green Deal are met. Circular Economy, Proposing initiatives across the life cycle of products, targeting areas such as electronics, plastics, textiles, and construction.
Von der Leyen has prioritized Europe’s digital transformation with the goal of fostering an open, democratic, and sustainable digital society.
Legislative frameworks aimed at creating a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and to establish a level playing field for businesses. Facilitating access to huge amounts of high-quality data to fuel artificial intelligence and innovation.
Accelerating the rollout of 5G networks while addressing cybersecurity concerns associated with new technologies. Von der Leyen’s Commission has been instrumental in managing the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coordinating a joint EU procurement strategy to secure sufficient vaccine doses for the member states.
A €750 billion program designed to mitigate the economic and social impact from the pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient, and better prepared for the challenges of green and digital transitions.
Strengthening social rights with initiatives aimed at guaranteeing fair working conditions, access to health care, and sustainable social protection systems.
Pushing for the implementation of the EU Gender Equality Strategy, which aims to combat gender-based violence, close gender gaps in the labor market, and achieve equal participation across different sectors of the economy.
Overseeing the negotiations that led to the eventual agreement governing future relations between the EU and the UK.
Reinforcing partnerships with the United States, addressing challenges related to China and Russia, and navigating complex issues like cybersecurity, trade disputes, and human rights.
Leading initiatives like the global strategy to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. Von der Leyen’s tenure is marked by her proactive approach to governance that seeks not only to address immediate challenges but also to prepare the EU for future opportunities and crises, ensuring its role as a global leader in various sectors.