Ursula von der Leyen
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1958: Born in Brussels to Ernst Albrecht – state premier of Lower Saxony and former director-general of European Commission
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1971: At age 13, moves with family to Germany – goes on to study economics in Hanover
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1977-80: Studies at London School of Economics using pseudonym “Rose Ladson” due
to concerns she might be targeted, as daughter of prominent politician, by left-wing guerrillas active in West Germany
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1980: Switches to studying medicine in Hanover, specialising in gynaecology and graduating as doctor in 1991
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1986: Marries Heiko von der Leyen, scion of aristocratic family which had made fortune in silk. They have seven children
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1990: Joins Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats
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2003: Elected to Lower Saxony’s state parliament before becoming cabinet member as minister for social affairs, women, family affairs and health 
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2005: Appointed federal minister of family affairs in Merkel’s first administration
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2009: Becomes federal minister of labour and social affairs.
During tenure, enacts revolution
in family policy, introducing parental allowances for fathers and improving access to childcare
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2013: Becomes Germany’s first female defence minister, but period marked by scandals over awarding of contracts, right-wing extremism in Bundeswehr, as well as criticism about gaps in military readiness
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July 16: European Parliament confirms Ursula von der Leyen as first woman to be president of EU Commission
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Sources: Euronews, Reuters, FT      Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS