Items25The creator’s order
  1. 1Angela MerkelAngela MerkelBorn 17 Jul 1954Twelve years at East Germany's Central Institute of Physical Chemistry preceded Merkel's move into national political office. She worked there from 1978 to 1990, earning her doctorate in 1986. Democratic Awakening brought her into the political opening of 1989, followed by government communications…0i
  2. 2Ameenah Gurib-FakimAmeenah Gurib-FakimBorn 17 Oct 1959Before becoming president of Mauritius in 2015, Gurib-Fakim had built a career in organic chemistry, medicinal-plant research and university administration. She joined the University of Mauritius after completing her doctorate in 1987, later becoming a dean and pro vice-chancellor. Her route to the…0i
  3. 3A. P. J. Abdul KalamA. P. J. Abdul KalamBorn 15 Oct 1931Kalam spent decades in aerospace research and administration at India's space and defence organisations before becoming president in 2002. His earlier responsibilities included directing the SLV-III satellite-launch project and leading a guided-missile programme. He was already a public servant and…0i
  4. 4Michelle BacheletMichelle BacheletBorn 29 Sept 1951Bachelet qualified as a doctor in 1982 and worked in child health, epidemiology and public-health administration before becoming Chile's health minister in 2000. Her work with PIDEE included medical support for children affected by repression. Political commitments and medical work overlapped,…0i
  5. 5Tsai Ing-wenTsai Ing-wenBorn 31 Aug 1956Tsai returned to Taiwan in 1984 and taught law at National Chengchi University and Soochow University. Trade-law advisory work connected that academic career with government before she chaired the Mainland Affairs Council in 2000. The sequence matters: specialist expertise preceded full-time…0i
  6. 6Manmohan SinghManmohan SinghBorn 26 Sept 1932Singh taught economics at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics before moving into economic administration. His later posts included Reserve Bank governor, followed by appointment as finance minister in 1991 and parliamentary membership that year. Academic economics was a substantial…0i
  7. 7Mario DraghiMario DraghiBorn 3 Sept 1947Draghi's career crossed university teaching, the Italian Treasury, private finance and central banking before he became prime minister in February 2021. He taught economics in Florence from 1981 to 1991 and later led the Bank of Italy and European Central Bank. This is a route into…0i
  8. 8Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganBorn 6 Feb 1911Reagan's move into elected politics followed radio sportscasting, two decades of films and substantial television work. Screen Actors Guild leadership and public speaking formed part of the bridge to his election as California governor in 1966. The familiar actor-to-president shorthand leaves out…0i
  9. 9Glenda JacksonGlenda JacksonBorn 9 May 1936Two Oscars and an established stage and television career preceded Jackson's election to Parliament in 1992. She then served as a Labour MP until 2015. Both careers were substantial: acting was followed by more than two decades of elected representation.0i
  10. 10Vigdís FinnbogadóttirVigdís FinnbogadóttirBorn 15 Apr 1930Finnbogadóttir taught languages before directing the Reykjavík Theatre Company from 1972 to 1980. Her election as Iceland's president in 1980 followed years of responsibility in education and cultural institutions, a more specific professional background than the label of cultural celebrity…0i