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Marietta GiannakouGreek politician and statesman
Date of Birth: 05.06.1951
Country:  Greece |
Content:
- Childhood and Education
- Political Career
- Member of European Parliament
- Minister of Health and Education
- Member of Hellenic Parliament
- Personal Life
- Languages
Childhood and Education
Maria Vamvakinou was born on June 5, 1951, in the village of Geraki, Laconia, Greece. She is the daughter of Panagiotis Giannakis. Vamvakinou studied medicine at the University of Athens and graduated with a degree in medical science.
Political Career
Early Political InvolvementIn 1974, Vamvakinou co-founded the youth organization of the New Democracy party and served on its executive committee. In 1979, she joined the New Democracy party and held various positions within its leadership, including member of the central committee (1997) and executive committee (1998).
Member of European Parliament
Vamvakinou was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for New Democracy four times: 1984, 1999, 2009, and 2014. She served as the head of the New Democracy delegation in the European Parliament from 1984 to 1990, 1999 to 2000, and 2009 to 2014.
Minister of Health and Education
In 1990, Vamvakinou was appointed Minister of Health in the government of Konstantinos Mitsotakis. She held this position until 1991. In 2004, she became Minister of Education and Religious Affairs in the first cabinet of Kostas Karamanlis. During her tenure, she initiated the construction of the Athens Mosque and implemented a controversial education reform that sparked student and teacher protests. She resigned from her ministerial position in 2007.
Member of Hellenic Parliament
Vamvakinou has been elected to the Hellenic Parliament five times: 1993, 2000, 2004, 2007, and 2019. She currently serves as the head of the Greek delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Personal Life
Vamvakinou married Panagiotis Koutsikos in 1983 and divorced in 1997. They have one daughter, Zoi-Elektra Koutsiki (born December 19, 1991).
