The first female Minister for Foreign Affairs in Greece, serving from 2006 to 2009, known for her efforts to strengthen Greece's international relations and promote European integration.
Dora Bakoyannis is a Greek politician who made history by becoming the first female Mayor of Athens, as well as the first woman to serve as Mayor of a city hosting the Olympic Games. She also holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking female official in the Greek government, having served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2009.
Born on May 6, 1954, in Athens, Greece, Bakoyannis hails from a prominent family of politicians. Her father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was a veteran Greek politician and former Prime Minister of Greece, while her grandfather, Kyriakos, and his brother Aristomenis, were also prominent politicians.
Bakoyannis' political career began in 1989 when she was elected to the Hellenic Parliament. She went on to serve as Minister for Culture of Greece from 1992 to 1993, and later became the Mayor of Athens from 2003 to 2006. Her term as Mayor saw significant improvements to the city's infrastructure, including the development of new transportation systems and public spaces.
In 2006, Bakoyannis became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position she held until 2009. During this time, she played a crucial role in promoting Greek diplomacy and strengthening the country's relationships with other nations. She also served as the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2009.
In 2010, Bakoyannis founded the Democratic Alliance, a political party that she led until 2012. Although she was expelled from the New Democracy party for voting against the party line, she rejoined New Democracy in 2012 ahead of the parliamentary election.
Bakoyannis has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to politics and diplomacy. These include the Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, the highest civilian honor in Greece, as well as the Order of the Golden Ark, a Belgian honor awarded for her services to environmental protection.
Despite her many achievements, Bakoyannis remains committed to her family and personal life. She has been married to Isidoros Kouvelos since 1999 and has two children from a previous marriage. Her legacy as a trailblazing female politician continues to inspire women and girls around the world to pursue careers in politics and public service.
Born in 1907
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