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Giovanna MelandriItalian female politician and economist
Date of Birth: 28.01.1962
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career in the Private Sector
- Entry into Politics
- Ministerial Appointments
- Director of MAXXI
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Giovanna Melandri was born on January 28, 1962, in New York City. She holds dual citizenship in Italy and the United States. Melandri graduated with a degree in Economics and Commerce from Sapienza University of Rome, where she wrote her thesis on President Reagan's 1981 tax reform.
Career in the Private Sector
Prior to entering politics, Melandri worked as a researcher at the Montedison corporation from 1983 to 1987, serving on its board of directors in 1982. She also held a position within the national secretariat of the Legambiente environmental organization from 1989 to 1994, where she was responsible for international relations from 1988 onwards.
Entry into Politics
In 1991, Melandri joined the National Executive Board of the Democratic Party of the Left (PDS). In 1996, she became part of the executive structure of the center-left coalition, The Olive Tree. Melandri was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1994 and served as a member of the Progressive Federalists parliamentary group. She continued to hold seats in the Chamber of Deputies in the 13th (1996), 14th (2001), and 15th (2006-2008) legislatures, representing different parliamentary groups.
Ministerial Appointments
Melandri served as Minister of Cultural and Natural Heritage in the first D'Alema government from October 1998 to April 2000. In the second D'Alema government, she held the position of Minister of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Activities from December 1999 to April 2000. Melandri continued in this role in the second Amato government until June 2001. From May 2006 to May 2008, she served as Minister of Sports and Youth Policy in the second Prodi government.
Director of MAXXI
In October 2012, Melandri was appointed Director of the National Museum of XXI Century Arts (MAXXI) by then-Minister of Culture Lorenzo Ornaghi. She stepped down from her position in the Chamber of Deputies to take up this role. Her appointment has faced criticism for perceived concerns over her competence, salary, and the legality of her appointment.
Personal Life
In 2009, Melandri married attorney Marco Morielli. They have one daughter, Maddalena, born in 1998. Melandri voted in the 2008 Democratic primaries for Barack Obama. Her sister, Francesca, is a prize-winning writer, and her cousin, Giovanni Minoli, is a renowned journalist.
