Vigdis Finnbogadottir was born in Reykjavik, Iceland back in 1930 to Finnbogi and Sigriour. Her father was a civil engineer as well as a professor at the University of Iceland. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Grenoble and the Sorbonne in Paris. After graduation, she taught French and French drama at the University.
She also worked with the Reykjavik Theatre Company, until 1980. In 1996, she became founding chair of the Council of Women World Leaders at the John. F. Kennedy School at Harvard University. Just a short two years later she was appointed president of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
What you may not know about Vigdis is that she served as the fourth President of Iceland from 980 to 1996. She was the world’s first democratically directly elected female president. With sixteen years as president she holds the record for the longest-serving elected female head off state of any country to date. She is currently a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
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