Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
President, Iceland, 1980 - 1996

With her election as President of Iceland in 1980, Vigdis Finnbogadottir became the first female head of state in the world. She was subsequently reelected three times and retired in 1996. Finnbogadottir took an active role in promoting the country, acting as a cultural ambassador, and enjoyed immense popularity.

Prior to entering politics, Finnbogadottir worked with the Reykjavik Theatre Company, and taught French at several different institutions and through a show on Icelandic state television. She also served as member of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs in the Nordic Countries. She is the founding chair of the Council of Women World Leaders.

In 1998, she was appointed president of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology. Currently, she is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and a member of the Club of Madrid. Finnbogadottir holds honorary Degrees from fifteen universities around the world.