Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician, serving as the President of the European Commission since 2019. She was born on October 8, 1958, in Brussels, Belgium, to German parents. Her father, Ernst Albrecht, was one of the first European civil servants. Von der Leyen graduated from the London School of Economics in 1978 and obtained her medical license from Hanover Medical School in 1987. Von der Leyen has had a distinguished career in German politics. She was a member of the German Bundestag from 2009 to 2019 and held various cabinet positions under Angela Merkel, including Federal Minister of Defense from 2013 to 2019, Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs from 2009 to 2013, and Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth from 2005 to 2009. Prior to her federal roles, she served as Minister for Social Affairs, Women, Family Affairs, and Health in Lower Saxony from 2003 to 2005. As President of the European Commission, von der Leyen has played a pivotal role in shaping EU policies, particularly during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She has been a strong advocate for the EU Green Deal, aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Her leadership has been recognized globally, with *Forbes* naming her the most powerful woman in the world in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Recently, von der Leyen was re-elected for a second term by the European Parliament in July 2024, ensuring her leadership until 2029. Her current priorities include navigating ongoing geopolitical challenges and advancing the EU's strategic agenda. Throughout her tenure, she has emphasized the importance of maintaining the EU's long-term goals despite global uncertainties.