Christine Madeleine Odette Lagarde, a renowned French politician and lawyer, has been serving as the President of the European Central Bank since 2019. Prior to this esteemed position, she served as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund from 2011 to 2019. Notably, she was the first woman to hold this post.
Before her tenure at the IMF, Lagarde had a distinguished career in the Government of France, serving as the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry from 2007 to 2011. This significant role made her the first woman to hold the position.
Born and raised in the City of Light, Paris, Lagarde's academic journey began at Paris Nanterre University, where she graduated from law school. She then pursued a Master's degree from the prestigious Sciences Po Aix. After being admitted to the Paris Bar, Lagarde joined the multinational law firm Baker & McKenzie as an associate in 1981. She specialized in labour, anti-trust, and mergers and acquisitions, quickly rising through the ranks.
Lagarde's impressive career milestones include being a member of the executive committee of the firm from 1995 until 1999 and later serving as its Chair from 1999 to 2004. Notably, she was the first woman to hold both positions. She held the top post until she decided to dedicate her expertise to public service.
