Manuela Ferreira Leite Portuguese economist and politician Date of Birth: 03.12.1940 Country: Portugal

Biography of Manuela Ferreira Leite

Maria Manuela Dias Ferreira Leite, a Portuguese economist and politician, was born on December 3, 1940. Although her family had a long lineage of lawyers, Leite chose to pursue a career in economics and finance. Her brother, José Eugénio Dias Ferreira, is a lawyer and a political and sports commentator in Lisbon.

Leite's father, Carlos Eugénio Dias Ferreira, was a lawyer and a graduate of the Law Faculty at the University of Lisbon. Her mother, Julieta Teixeira de Carvalho, was an engineer and a graduate of the Higher Technical Institute. Julieta is the daughter of José Teixeira de Carvalho and Etelvina Ferreira de Carvalho.

On her paternal side, Leite's grandfather, José Eugénio Dias Ferreira (1882-1953), was a lawyer from the University of Coimbra. He was the illegitimate son of minister and advisor José Dias Ferreira and an unknown woman. Manuela is the fifth cousin of Portuguese lawyer and politician Pedro Santana Lopes.

Leite graduated with a degree in finance from the Institute of Economics and Management (ISEG). She held various positions within the Portuguese government, including the post of Minister of Education in Cavaco Silva's cabinet from 1993 to 1995. From April 6, 2002, to 2004, Leite served as the 112th Minister of Finance in the Durão Barroso-led coalition government.

As Minister of Education and Minister of Finance, Manuela became a target of criticism from those who accused her of excessive austerity. In 2006, she served as an administrator of Banco Santander Totta, a Portuguese bank, without being an executive.

Leite was the leader of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party (PSD) until March 26, 2010. She was elected to this position on May 31, 2008. Currently, the PSD is the largest opposition party in the Portuguese parliament.

In addition, Manuela is a member of the Portuguese Council of State, appointed by the President of Portugal. She was married to Rui Leite, an economics graduate, and they have three children: Nuno Dias Ferreira Leite, João Dias Ferreira Leite, and Ana Dias Ferreira Leite.