Politics & World • European Union

Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024. She is the first woman to hold the post. Before leading the Commission, she served in multiple German federal ministerial roles, including defence, labour, and family affairs.

Early life and education

Ursula von der Leyen was born in Brussels in 1958 and spent part of her early life in Belgium. She studied economics, spent time at the London School of Economics, and completed a medical degree and doctorate in medicine in Hanover.

German political career

Von der Leyen entered German federal politics through the Christian Democratic Union. She served as minister for family affairs, labour and social affairs, and defence, becoming the first woman to lead Germany’s Defence Ministry.

President of the European Commission

She was elected President of the European Commission in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. Her role places her at the head of the European Union’s executive branch.

Political significance

Von der Leyen is the first woman to lead the European Commission and one of the most prominent figures in EU politics. Her leadership has been associated with major EU priorities including climate, digital policy, and institutional reform.

Key facts

Ursula von der Leyen became President of the European Commission in 2019 and was re-elected in 2024.
She is the first woman to serve as President of the European Commission.
She previously served as Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence from 2013 to 2019.
She also held federal cabinet posts for labour and for family affairs in Germany.
Before entering politics, she worked as a physician and academic assistant.

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Canadian context

Her leadership affects Canada through EU trade, climate, digital regulation, and foreign policy, since the European Commission is a major counterpart in Canada–EU relations.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ursula von der Leyen?

She is a German politician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019.

Is Ursula von der Leyen the first woman in her role?

Yes. She is the first woman to serve as President of the European Commission.

What offices did she hold in Germany?

She served as minister for family affairs, labour and social affairs, and defence in the German federal government.

When was she re-elected?

She was re-elected by the European Parliament in 2024 for a second term.

What is her educational background?

She studied economics, attended the London School of Economics, and earned a medical degree and doctorate in medicine.

References

European Commission — https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/eu-enlargement-forum/ursula-von-der-leyen_en
Supports: Birth date and place, education, career history, and first woman to serve as Commission President.
European Commission — https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/president/about-president_en
Supports: President since 2019, first woman in the post, and second term through 2029.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ursula-von-der-Leyen
Supports: Biography, birth details, CDU affiliation, and German ministerial roles.
Deutscher Bundestag — https://www.bundestag.de/webarchiv/abgeordnete/biografien19/L/leyen_ursula-521602
Supports: German federal offices held and biographical details.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation — https://www.kas.de/en/web/geschichte-der-cdu/significant-figures/biogram-detail/-/content/ursula-von-der-leyen-2
Supports: 2024 nomination and European Parliament re-election details.