# Ursula von der Leyen

> President of the European Commission since 2019

**Wikidata**: [Q60772](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60772)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_von_der_Leyen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ursula-von-der-leyen

## Summary
Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019. She is known for her leadership in European policy, particularly in response to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Biography
- Born: October 8, 1958
- Nationality: German
- Education:
  - Medical degree from the University of Göttingen
  - Additional studies at the University of Münster and Hannover Medical School
  - Further education at the London School of Economics and Political Science
- Known for: Leading the European Commission during major global crises
- Employer(s):
  - European Commission (President since 2019)
  - Member of the European Parliament (2004–2019)
  - Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinets (First, Second, Third, and Fourth Merkel cabinets)
- Field(s): European politics, public health, economic policy

## Contributions
- Led the European Commission’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development of the EU’s recovery fund and vaccination strategies.
- Advocated for the Green New Deal, a proposed economic stimulus program focused on sustainability and climate action.
- Oversaw the EU’s economic recovery efforts post-pandemic, including the NextGenerationEU fund.
- Played a key role in shaping the EU’s response to geopolitical challenges, including relations with the United States and China.

## FAQs
### What is Ursula von der Leyen’s educational background?
Ursula von der Leyen earned her medical degree from the University of Göttingen and completed further studies at the University of Münster, Hannover Medical School, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

### Where has Ursula von der Leyen worked?
She has served in multiple German cabinets under Chancellor Angela Merkel and as President of the European Commission since 2019.

### What is Ursula von der Leyen known for?
She is known for her leadership in European policy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and in shaping the EU’s economic recovery strategies.

### What awards has Ursula von der Leyen received?
She has received awards such as the BBC 100 Women, Time 100, and the National Order of Mali, as well as honorary doctorates and the Charlemagne Prize.

## Why They Matter
Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding the European Union through major global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Her policies have shaped the EU’s economic recovery efforts, influenced international relations, and set the stage for future sustainability initiatives. Her work has had a profound impact on European and global politics, demonstrating the importance of strong, decisive leadership in times of crisis.

## Notable For
- President of the European Commission since 2019
- Leader of the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Advocate for the Green New Deal and EU sustainability policies
- Member of multiple German cabinets under Chancellor Angela Merkel
- Recipient of prestigious awards, including the BBC 100 Women and Time 100

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ursula von der Leyen was born on October 8, 1958, in Hannover, Germany. She earned her medical degree from the University of Göttingen and pursued additional studies at the University of Münster, Hannover Medical School, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her educational background in medicine and political science laid the foundation for her career in public service.

### Political Career
Von der Leyen began her political career in the European Parliament, where she served from 2004 to 2019. She later held key positions in multiple German cabinets under Chancellor Angela Merkel, including the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Merkel cabinets. Her experience in both national and European politics prepared her for her role as President of the European Commission.

### Leadership of the European Commission
In 2019, Ursula von der Leyen was appointed President of the European Commission, a position she has held since then. Her leadership has been marked by her response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where she oversaw the development of the EU’s recovery fund and vaccination strategies. She has also advocated for the Green New Deal, a proposed economic stimulus program focused on sustainability and climate action.

### Economic and Geopolitical Policies
Under von der Leyen’s leadership, the European Commission has played a central role in shaping the EU’s economic recovery efforts post-pandemic, including the NextGenerationEU fund. She has also been instrumental in navigating the EU’s geopolitical challenges, including relations with the United States and China. Her policies have had a significant impact on European and global politics.

### Awards and Recognition
Ursula von der Leyen has received numerous awards and honors, including the BBC 100 Women, Time 100, and the National Order of Mali. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates and the Charlemagne Prize, recognizing her contributions to European unity and leadership.

### Legacy
Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership has left a lasting impact on the European Union and global politics. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic and her advocacy for sustainability have set the stage for future EU policies. Her career demonstrates the importance of strong, decisive leadership in times of crisis and the value of interdisciplinary expertise in public service.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/opinion/a-more-useful-germany.html)
2. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-13256288)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/world/europe/18iht-womenside.html)
5. [Source](https://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/start/ministerium/der_minister/ursula_von_der_leyen/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zinSx8QnyMLI2MQkxcXQ0cLcydAzxDPY0MTEz0wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6wSmp-pFAM8xxm2GsH6wfpR-VlViWWKFXkF9UkpNaopeYDHKhfmRGYl5KTmpAfrIjRKAgN6LcoNxREQBbGVXh/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922T4EE0A87CPIUI2043)
6. basic data about the members of the Bundestag
7. [EU-Parlament bestätigt von der Leyen-Kommission 2019-2024. European Commission. 2019](https://ec.europa.eu/germany/news/20191127-eu-parlament-bestaetigt-von-der-leyen-kommission_de)
8. [The Commissioners | 2019-2024](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024_en)
9. [Europa bloquea a los medios estatales de Rusia para frenar la "desinformación tóxica"](https://www.ambito.com/mundo/rusia/europa-bloquea-los-medios-estatales-frenar-la-desinformacion-toxica-n5381898)
10. [Source](https://www.bundestag.de/webarchiv/ausgeschiedene-abgeordnete-532298)
11. [Source](https://www.bundestag.de/webarchiv/abgeordnete/biografien18/L/leyen_ursula-258710)
12. [Source](http://www.bundestag.de/bundestag/abgeordnete18/biografien/L/leyen_ursula/258710)
13. [Source](https://vds-ev.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sprachpanscher_2014.pdf)
14. [Source](https://bigbrotherawards.de/2017)
15. [Source](https://bigbrotherawards.de/2009)
16. [Source](https://www.nachrichten-handwerk.de/2021/07/30/ursula-von-der-leyen-ist-sprachpanscher-2021/)
17. [Source](https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5952022-43765)
18. [Source](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-75af095e-21f7-41b0-9c5f-a96a5e0615c1)
19. [Source](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177691/ursula-von-der-leyen-leaders/)
20. [Source](https://orden-panteleimon.com.ua/ua/news/rishennya-povazhnoyi-radi-vid-25-01-2024-r--pro-vruchennya-vidznaki-orden-svyatogo-panteleymona-prezidentci-yevropeyskoyi-komisiyi-ursuli-fon-der-lyayen)
21. [Source](https://www.ut-capitole.fr/accueil/universite/presentation/excellence/retour-en-images-sur-la-ceremonie-de-remise-du-titre-de-docteur-honoris-causa-a-ursula-von-der-leyen-presidente-de-la-commission-europeenne)
22. [Source](https://aachen.de/DE/stadt_buerger/aachen_profil/preise_auszeichnungen/karlspreis/karlspreis2025/01_Begruendung/Begruendung_KP_2025_DE.pdf)
23. [Source](http://www.europa-union.de/ueber-uns/parlamentariergruppen/deutscher-bundestag/niedersachsen-mdb/)
24. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-122611)
25. [Source](https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidente_de_la_Comisi%C3%B3n_Europea)
26. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2005334/Ursula-von-der-Leyen)
27. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
28. FemBio database
29. [Brockhaus Enzyklopädie](https://brockhaus.de/ecs/julex/article/ursula-von-der-leyen)
30. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
31. GeneaStar
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33. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
34. [Source](https://www.zeit.de/2016/26/ursula-von-der-leyen-brexit-london)
35. [Source](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-219140)
36. Virtual International Authority File
37. [Source](http://www.bundestag.de/blob/192342/82983e7fb1389de5fa72d5cbf310fc62/bundestag-data.pdf)
38. [Source](http://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2013-10/arbeitsgruppen-grosse-koalition-spd-cdu-csu)
39. [Source](http://www.bundestag.de/blob/490834/00e8cd433765c0b6e5fac81b56d4a5d5/mitglieder_bv-data.pdf)
40. Davos 2013 Participant List
41. Davos 2015 Participant List
42. Davos 2017 Participant List
43. Davos 2018 Participant List
44. Davos 2019 Participant List
45. Davos 2020 Participant List
46. List of Public Figures - World Economic Forum – Annual Meeting 2023
47. CONOR.SI
48. [Source](http://www.leparisien.fr/international/commission-europeenne-la-nouvelle-presidente-ursula-von-der-leyen-tres-impopulaire-dans-son-pays-03-07-2019-8108961.php)
49. [Wenn Flinten-Uschi und McMaut zusammen regieren. Die Welt. 2014](https://www.welt.de/debatte/kolumnen/zippert_zappt/article132354118/Wenn-Flinten-Uschi-und-McMaut-zusammen-regieren.html)
50. BBC Things