Angela Dorothea Merkel
- Born:
- July 17, 1954, Hamburg, West Germany
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Physicist, Politician
Early Life and Education
- Born Angela Dorothea Kasner in Hamburg to Horst Kasner, a Lutheran pastor, and Herlind Kasner, a teacher.
- Family moved to Templin in East Germany shortly after her birth.
- Studied physics at the University of Leipzig from 1973 to 1978.
- Obtained a doctorate in quantum chemistry in 1986 from the Academy of Sciences in East Berlin.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a research scientist at the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences from 1978 to 1990.
- Entered politics in 1989, joining the Demokratischer Aufbruch party.
- Joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1990.
- Elected to the Bundestag in 1990, representing the constituency of Stralsund-Nordvorpommern-Rügen.
- Served as Minister for Women and Youth (1991-1994) and Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (1994-1998) under Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
- Became General Secretary of the CDU in 1998 and Chairwoman of the CDU in 2000.
- Elected Chancellor of Germany in 2005, becoming the first female Chancellor of Germany.
- Served as Chancellor for four terms (2005-2021).
- Played a key role in managing the Eurozone crisis and the European migrant crisis.
Notable Works
There are no singularly attributed "works" to Angela Merkel in the traditional sense. However, her policy initiatives and legislative contributions as Chancellor are significant. Much commentary and analyses on her leadership during major crises exists.
Legacy and Impact
Angela Merkel's tenure as Chancellor is regarded as a pivotal era in modern German history. As detailed in this 'angela merkel biography tedesco', her leadership shaped Germany's role in Europe and the world. She is considered a strong and pragmatic leader, known for her crisis management skills and her commitment to European integration.