G20 Spouses And Their Biographies

Ms Thérèse Rein (Australia): Thérèse studied Arts at Australian National University, Canberra and is a psychologist and rehabilitation counsellor. She founded Ingeus, an international employment services agency and has three children.

Mrs Laureen Harper (Canada): Laureen studied photography and graphic arts at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and travelled widely in Africa as a student. She is graphic artist with her own business. Mrs Harper carries out voluntary computer work in her local school and library. She enjoys motorbike riding, photography and gardening. She has two children.

Mrs Margarida Barroso (European Commission): Mrs Barroso is a literature graduate from Universida de Classica de Lisboa. She worked as journalist on a Lisbon paper and supports women’s groups, children’s rights, street and exploited children charities. She is Hon President of “MYOS”, a fibromyalgia association. Mrs Barroso has three children.

Mrs Gurusharan Kaur (Republic of India): Born and educated in Punjab, Mrs Kaur studied Music at Government College for Women. She is trained in Indian classical instrumental music and song. She is involved in cultural and musical events and enjoys cooking, reading and sewing. She has three children and three grandchildren.

HE Mrs Ani Bambang Yudhoyono (Republic of Indonesia): Mrs Yudhoyono studied medicine at the Christian University, Indonesia and also holds a degree in Political Science. She is Vice Chairman of the Democrat Party. Polio immunisation campaigns, Mobil Pintar (vans of books for children). Relief Work after earthquake and tsunami. 2 children.

Mrs Anne Sinclair Strauss-Kahn (International Monetary Fund):Born in New York, Mrs Strauss-Kahn graduated from the Paris Institute for Political Studies and has a law degree from the University of Paris. She is known as a French TV producer, interviewer and radio journalist.

Mrs Chikako Aso (Japan): Mrs Aso graduated from the Department of Child Studies, Faculty of Home Economics at the Japan Women’s University. She is a daughter of the 70th Prime Minister of Japan, Zenko Suzuki. Her interests include rose cultivation and cooking. She has two children.

Mrs Kim Yoon-ok (Republic of Korea): Mrs Kim Graduated in Health Education and Management
Management from Ewha Woman’s University. She carries out voluntary work supporting children in poverty
and the homeless. Her interests include education, welfare and culture. She has four children.

Mrs Margarita Zavala (United Mexican States): Margarita Zavala has a Law degree from Escuela Libre de Derecho and further education at Harvard University. She has worked in politics, law and as a law professor. Her interests are in strengthening gender equality, migrant children protection, drug addiction, and low income support. She has three children.

Mrs Svetlana Medvedeva (Russian Federation): Mrs Medvedev graduated from Leningrad Financial and Economics Institute. She supports social and cultural programmes in Russia and Europe including programmes targeted at youth. She initiated the annual Russian Arts Festival in Bari, Italy. Mrs Medvedeva has one child.

Dr Pimpen Vejjajiva (Thailand): Born into an academic family Dr Vejjajiva prefers to keep a quiet, low profile. She graduated in Dentistry and with a Doctorate in Mathematics from Chulalongkorn University. She has been a Mathematics lecturer in the same university.

Mrs Emine Erdogan (Republic of Turkey): Mrs Erdogan organises charity events to finance education and job training for low income women. She supports work on children with leukemia, the disabled and educating women and rural families. She leads project called “Girls to School” and her interests include theatre, music and cinema. She has four children.

Mrs Ban Soon-taek (United Nations): Ban Soon-taek majored in Library and Information Science at ChungAng University, Seoul, where she later worked as a Librarian. She works to advance the cause of children, women and senior citizens and is involved in UN projects. She enjoys bridge, walking, movies and reading and has three children.

Mrs Michelle Obama (United States of America): Mrs OBama studied Sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. She graduated from Harvard Law School and initiated many community activities in Chicago. She supports military families, encourages national service and helps working women in career/family balance. She has two children.

Mrs Sarah Brown (United Kingdom): Sarah Brown is a Psychology graduate from Bristol University. She worked in communications for the arts and voluntary sector. She founded the “PiggyBankKids”charity in the UK and is the Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. She also co chairs the Maternal Health Leadership Group. Mrs Brown has two children.

By Downing Street Number 10