Early Life And Political Career

Ursula von der Leyen: A Family Life With 7 Children

Early Life and Political Career

Ursula von der Leyen (née Albrecht) was born in Brussels, Belgium on October 8, 1958. She studied medicine at the University of Hannover and worked as a physician before entering politics. In 1990, she was elected to the German Bundestag and served as a member of the German Parliament for 14 years. During her tenure, she held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and Minister of Defense.

Presidency of the European Commission

In December 2019, von der Leyen was elected President of the European Commission, becoming the first woman to hold the position. As president, she has overseen the EU's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She has also played a key role in shaping the EU's climate change and digital transformation policies.

Family Life

von der Leyen is married to Heiko von der Leyen, a medical professor, and has seven children: David (born 1987), Sophie (born 1989), Donata (born 1992), twins Victoria and Johanna (born 1994), Egmont (born 1998), and Garcia (born 1999). Little is known about the two youngest children in the family, and they are rarely seen in public.

von der Leyen has been open about the challenges of balancing her demanding career with her family life. She has said that she relies on the support of her husband and children, and that she makes a conscious effort to spend time with them whenever possible.