This week’s Leader Profile is about Angela Merkel. 

Who is she?

First female chancellor of Germany, served from 2005 to 2021

• 16 years! From G.W.Bush to Biden
• Left office with 70% approval rate, an insanely high number

The origin story: 

• Born in East Germany
• Received highest marks in school and earned a PhD in quantum chemistry
• Worked as a research scientist for several years
• Born in East Germany
• Received highest marks in school and earned a PhD in quantum chemistry
• Worked as a research scientist for several years

Early political career: 

• Decided to get involved in politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall
• underestimated by EVERYONE, made fun of her for being shy, blushing, etc.
• However, had a meteoric rise to eventually become chancellor

Legacy

• Steered Germany through several crises (2008 financial crisis, unrest in Ukraine) with no major economic slumps
  • No leader is perfect, but she was known for her exceptional ability to manage and make pragmatic decisions, never letting her ego or her emotions get in the way
• Unfortunately even after becoming a world leader, as often the only woman in the room, still faced disrespect from other politicians
  • Never publicly spoke out against them
• Zero scandals and lives a humble life: still lives in her very normal apartment and shops at her local grocery store in person without fanfare

She was not merely a politician but a true public servant who will be remembered for generations to come.

— Audrey Liu