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Michaelle JeanGovernor General of Canada
Date of Birth: 06.09.1957
Country:  Canada |
Content:
Biography of Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean, the personal representative of Queen Elizabeth II, the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, is the first woman of color to hold this position. She was appointed to this role on August 4, 2005, following the recommendation of Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Early Life
Michaëlle Jean was born on September 6, 1957, in Haiti. In 1968, her family immigrated to Canada to escape the dictatorship of François Duvalier, who had separated her father from the family for 30 years due to his personal beliefs. They settled in the town of Thetford Mines, Quebec. Michaëlle Jean attended the University of Montreal, where she earned a bachelor's degree in humanities. In 1986, after obtaining a master's degree in humanities, she traveled to Italy to pursue literary research in the Italian language at the University of Florence, the University of Perugia, and the Catholic University of Milan. Jean is fluent in French, English, Italian, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and has some knowledge of Portuguese.
Career
From 1979 to 1987, Michaëlle Jean was involved in organizing assistance for immigrants. She then worked at the Employment and Immigration Center of Canada. In 1988, Jean began her journalism career as a reporter for Radio-Canada. She covered news in programs such as "Actualités," "Montréal ce soir," "Virages," and "Le Point." In 1999, Michaëlle Jean joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as a reporter for the English-language news program "CBC Newsworld." She also participated in the production of special social-themed documentaries and charitable initiatives to help victims of domestic violence. In 2004, she hosted her own program called "Michaëlle." During this time, Michaëlle Jean and her husband produced several films, including one about Haitian poet René Depestre, who was forced to flee the country due to persecution by the authorities. The film depicts the poet's life in France and his desire to return to Haiti. It received the award "Haiti in All Our Dreams."
Governor General of Canada
On August 4, 2005, Michaëlle Jean was appointed as the Governor General of Canada, succeeding Adrianne Clarkson, who had Chinese heritage. At the time of her appointment, she was one of the youngest governors general in the country at the age of 48. Michaëlle Jean is married to Canadian director Jean-Daniel Lafond. In 1999, they adopted a Haitian girl named Marie-Éden.
