Johanna Sigurdardottir Prime Minister of Iceland Date of Birth: 04.10.1942 Country: Iceland

Biography of Johanna Sigurdardottir

Johanna Sigurdardottir, a prominent Icelandic politician, was born in Reykjavik. She graduated from the Commercial College in 1960 and began her career as a flight attendant for Icelandic Airlines. Later, she worked as an office worker for the same airline. She actively participated in the trade union movement and played a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights.

In 1978, Sigurdardottir was elected as a member of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, representing the Social Democratic Party. She was consistently reelected in subsequent parliamentary elections. She served as the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament in 1979 and 1983-1984. Additionally, she held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1984 to 1993.

Sigurdardottir served as the Minister of Social Affairs in various cabinets from 1987 to 1994. However, after an unsuccessful bid for the party leadership in 1994, she left the Social Democratic Party and soon became the leader of a new movement called Jóðvaki, which translates to "Awakening".

She remained an active member of the left-wing opposition in parliament and served on several committees in the Althing. In 2000, the movement led by Sigurdardottir joined forces with the Social Democratic Party to form the Social Democratic Alliance. Following the 2003 elections, she once again assumed the position of Deputy Chairman of the Althing.

After the 2007 elections, a "grand coalition" government was formed in Iceland, consisting of representatives from the Independence Party and the Social Democratic Alliance. Sigurdardottir was appointed as the Minister of Social Affairs in this government. However, due to a severe domestic political crisis caused by economic difficulties, the coalition eventually dissolved.

During this crisis, Sigurdardottir emerged as the most popular politician in the country, according to a survey conducted by Capacent Gallup, with a rating of 73%. On February 1, 2009, she became the Prime Minister of Iceland, leading a temporary government comprised of members from the Social Democrats and the Greens. The government was intended to remain in power until the formation of a new Althing, with early elections scheduled for April 25, 2009.

Sigurdardottir has two sons from her first marriage to Torvaldur Johannesson, born in 1972 and 1977, and she also has a stepson from 1981. In 2002, she entered into a civil partnership with journalist Jonina Leosdottir. As such, Sigurdardottir became the world's first openly gay head of government.