# Vasso Papandreou

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Greek politician and economist (1944–2024)

This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (October 2024)

Vasso Papandreou Papandréou in 1990 Minister of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works In office 24 October 2001 – 10 March 2004 Prime Minister Costas Simitis Preceded by Kostas Laliotis Succeeded by Georgios Souflias Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization In office 19 February 1999 – 20 March 2000 Prime Minister Costas Simitis Preceded by Alekos Papadopoulos Succeeded by Georgios Koumantos Minister of Development In office 1 February 1996 – 19 February 1999 Prime Minister Costas Simitis Preceded by Ministry created Succeeded by Evangelos Venizelos European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities In office 1989–1992 President Jacques Delors Preceded by Peter Sutherland Succeeded by Pádraig Flynn Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Athens B In office 10 October 1993 – 11 April 2012 Member of the Hellenic Parliament for National list In office 2 June 1985 – 14 January 1989 Personal details Born (1944-12-09)9 December 1944 Valimitika, Kingdom of Greece Died 17 October 2024(2024-10-17) (aged 79) Chalandri, Athens, Greece Resting place Valimitika Cemetery Party PASOK

**Vasso Papandreou** ([Greek](/source/Greek_language): Βάσω Παπανδρέου; 9 December 1944 – 17 October 2024[1]) was a Greek politician. After being in exile during the rule of the [Greek junta](/source/Greek_junta), she returned to Greece in 1974 and was a founding member of [PASOK](/source/PASOK). In 1981, she was awarded a [PhD](/source/PhD) in economics from the [University of Reading](/source/University_of_Reading).

She was a member of PASOK's Central Committee until 1988, and served as Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology from 1986 to 1987 and as Deputy Minister of Commerce in 1988.

In 1989, she was appointed Greece's [European Commissioner](/source/European_Commission), taking the post of [Commissioner for Employment, industrial relations and social affairs](/source/European_Commissioner_for_Employment%2C_Social_Affairs_%26_Equal_Opportunities) in the second [Delors Commission](/source/Delors_Commission).[2] After her term on the commission, she returned to Greek domestic politics and was elected to the [Hellenic Parliament](/source/Hellenic_Parliament) in the [1993](/source/1993_Greek_legislative_election), [1996](/source/1996_Greek_legislative_election), [2000 elections](/source/2000_Greek_legislative_election), 2004, 2007 and 2009 elections. She served in all [Costas Simitis](/source/Costas_Simitis) government (1996–2004) as Minister of Economic Development (1996–1999), Minister of Interior (1999–2001) and Minister for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works from 2001 to 2004.

She is unrelated to the [Papandreou](/source/Andreas_Papandreou) [political family](/source/List_of_political_families_in_Greece).[3]

## Early life

Vasso Papandreou was born in [Valimitika, Aigio](/source/Valimitika), on 9 December 1944. She studied economics at the [Athens University of Economics and Business](/source/Athens_University_of_Economics_and_Business) (then ASOEE), and continued her studies in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a master's degree from the [University of London](/source/University_of_London) and a PhD from the [University of Reading](/source/University_of_Reading). She later taught at [Oxford University](/source/University_of_Oxford).

## Political career

She served as President of [EOMMEX](https://web.archive.org/web/20100808011212/http://www.eommex.gr/) (1981–1985), Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology (1985–1986), Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology (1986–1987), Deputy Minister of Commerce responsible for Greek Presidency issues in the European Community (1988–1989), European Commissioner for Employment, Labour Relations and Social Affairs, Human Resources, Education and Training, and Gender Equality (1989–1993), Minister of Development (1996–1999), Minister of Interior, Public Administration, and Decentralization (1999–2001), and Minister for the Environment, Spatial Planning, and Public Works (2001–2004) in [PASOK](/source/PASOK) governments.

In the 1993 elections, she received 256,831 preference votes [4] in the [Athens B](/source/Athens_B) electoral district, a number that has not been surpassed by anyone to date.

Throughout her career, she promoted new educational opportunities, protected workers' rights, supported motherhood, and championed gender equality. She paid particular attention to retirees and individuals with special needs. She advanced the European Social Charter and secured Social Dialogue across Europe. Her impact reached international recognition, with the press referring to her as the "[Caryatid](/source/Caryatid) of Democracy"[5] and the "Iron Lady".[6] Through her initiative, the legal framework was established to ensure 33% female participation in the candidate lists for the 2002 regional and municipal elections.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Significant moments in her political career:

- 1974: Founding member of [PASOK](/source/PASOK) and member of its Central Committee.[2]

- 1981–1985: President of EOMMEX.

- 1982–1985: Member of the Board of Directors of Commercial Bank of Greece.

- 1984–1988: Member of the Executive Bureau of PASOK's Central Committee.

- 1985–1986: Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

- 1985–1989 and 1993–2012: PASOK MP.

- 1986–1987: Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

- 1988–1989: Deputy Minister of Commerce (responsible for Greek Presidency in the European Community).

- 1989–1993: Member of the [European Commission](/source/European_Commission) (first female Commissioner) responsible for Employment, Labour Relations, Social Affairs, Human Resources, Education and Training, and Gender Equality.[2]

- 1993–1996: Head of the Greek Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union.

- 1993–1996: Head of the Greek Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

- 1995–1996: Vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

- 1995–1996: Vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union.

- 1996–1999: Minister of Development (Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology for the first month of 1996).

- 1996–2004: Member of PASOK's Executive Bureau.

- 1999–2001: Minister of Interior, Public Administration, and Decentralization.

- 2001–2004: Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Public Works.

- 2004–2007: Member of the Bureau of the Party of European Socialists.

- 2005–2007: Member of PASOK's Political Council. Responsible for the Economy sector.

- 2008–2009: Responsible for PASOK's Defense sector.

- 2009–2012: Chairwoman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Greek Parliament.

## Personal life and death

Papandreou never married and had no children. In the 1970s, she had an affair with [Andreas Papandreou](/source/Andreas_Papandreou).[7] Despite their separation, they had good relations until their rupture in 1995, when she challenged him politically given his fragile health.[8] In November of the same year, Andreas Papandreou fell seriously ill and was hospitalized for months, where he resigned as prime minister and a few months after his discharge, in June 1996, he died.

Vasso Papandreou died at her residence in [Chalandri](/source/Chalandri) on 17 October 2024, at the age of 80.[9] Her funeral was held on October 19, at the cemetery of her birthplace, in the presence of many politicians mainly from PASOK.[8]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Historic Greek Politician Vasso Papandreou Dies, Aged 80](https://www.thenationalherald.com/historic-greek-politician-vasso-papandreou-dies-aged-80/)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) ["Βάσω Παπανδρέου: Πέθανε η πρώην υπουργός του ΠΑΣΟΚ"](https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1552251/vaso-papandreou-pethane-i-proin-upourgos-tou-pasok/). *ProtoThema* (in Greek). 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Georges Prevelakis](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Pr%C3%A9v%C3%A9lakis) [in French] (2006) [1997]. [*Géopolitique de la Grèce*](https://books.google.com/books?id=WDoZnj9KGVIC&dq=Vasso+Papandréou&pg=PA77). [Complexe](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Complexe&action=edit&redlink=1) [[fr](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ditions_Complexe)]. p. 77. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9782804800734](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9782804800734).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Οι πρωταθλητές της «σταυρομαχίας»](https://www.tovima.gr/2008/11/24/politics/oi-prwtathlites-tis-stayromaxias/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Τζαγκαράκη, Μαργαρίτα (2024-10-17). ["Βάσω Παπανδρέου: Η «Καρυάτιδα της Δημοκρατίας» που τα «έβαλε» με τον Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου και τη Μάργκαρετ Θάτσερ"](https://www.newsit.gr/politikh/vaso-papandreou-i-karyatida-tis-dimokratias-pou-ta-evale-me-ton-andrea-papandreou-kai-ti-margkaret-thatser/4209650/). *NewsIT* (in Greek). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250122181050/https://www.newsit.gr/politikh/vaso-papandreou-i-karyatida-tis-dimokratias-pou-ta-evale-me-ton-andrea-papandreou-kai-ti-margkaret-thatser/4209650/) from the original on 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-01-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Vasso Papandreou: PASOK bids farewell in Aigio – See photos](https://en.protothema.gr/2024/10/19/vasso-papandreou-pasok-bids-farewell-in-aigio-see-photos/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Andreas Papandreou's stormy love affair with Vaso - Her exile to London to avoid the scandal](https://www.thetoc.gr/politiki/best-of-internet/o-thuellodis-erotas-tou-andrea-papandreou-me-tin-baso--i-exoria-tis-sto-londino-gia-na-apofeuxthei-to-skandalo/) (el)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ap_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ap_8-1) ["Vasso Papandreou, champion of women in Greek politics, dies at 79"](https://apnews.com/article/greece-vasso-papandreou-politics-minister-women-3e0283811d247d4fcb3f687b1a48061d). *Associated Press*. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Historic Greek Politician Vasso Papandreou Dies, Aged 80"](https://www.thenationalherald.com/historic-greek-politician-vasso-papandreou-dies-aged-80/). *The National Herald*. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.

v t e European commissioners from Greece Giorgos Kontogeorgis Grigoris Varfis Vasso Papandreou Ioannis Palaiokrassas Christos Papoutsis Anna Diamantopoulou Stavros Dimas Maria Damanaki Dimitris Avramopoulos Margaritis Schinas Apostolos Tzitzikostas

v t e Interior ministers of Greece First Hellenic Republic (1822–1832) Kolettis Papaflessas Anast. Londos Collective committees (1827–32) Christidis Kingdom of Greece (Wittelsbach) (1833–1862) Rizos–Neroulos Psyllas Kolettis Praidis Mansolas Polyzoidis Glarakis Theocharis Mavrokordatos Christidis Palamidis And. S. Londos Kolettis Palamidis Krestenitis Roufos Anast. Londos Glarakis Christidis Krestenitis Notaras Meletopoulos Danopoulos Palamidis Amvrosiadis Palamidis Mavrokordatos D. Voulgaris Provelengios Palamidis Kountouriotis Krestenitis Papalexopoulos Christopoulos Kolokotronis Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg) (1863–1924) Thr. Zaimis And. Ch. Londos Avgerinos G. Petimezas And. Ch. Londos G. Petimezas D. Voulgaris Thr. Zaimis Avgerinos Koumoundouros Hatzianargyrou Koumoundouros Lomvardos Thr. Zaimis D. Voulgaris Koumoundouros Thr. Zaimis Deligeorgis Nikolopoulos Provelengios Roufos D. Voulgaris Koumoundouros Messinezis D. Voulgaris Thr. Zaimis Deligeorgis Koumoundouros Thr. Zaimis Nikolopoulos Deligeorgis Drosos Deligeorgis Drosos D. Voulgaris Trikoupis Koumoundouros I. Deligiannis Koumoundouros Deligeorgis Antonopoulos Papamichalopoulos Koumoundouros Thr. Zaimis Koumoundouros Lomvardos Papamichalopoulos Trikoupis Lomvardos Papamichalopoulos Papailiopoulos Lomvardos Trikoupis Dragoumis G. Theotokis T. Deligiannis Konstantopoulos G. Theotokis D. Rallis Boufidis N. Deligiannis N. Metaxas Kyr. Mavromichalis G. Theotokis Korpas Triantafyllakos G. Theotokis Triantafyllakos Kyr. Mavromichalis Levidis Kyr. Mavromichalis G. Theotokis T. Deligiannis D. Rallis Kyr. Mavromichalis Kalogeropoulos Levidis N. Stratos Triantafyllakos Dragoumis Ep. Petmezas Mavrommatis Repoulis Triantafyllakos Kafantaris Gounaris Roufos National Defence Government Sofoulis Tsellos Negris Repoulis Raktivan Tsaldaris Stais Goudas Karpetopoulos N. Stratos Bousios Charalambis Krokidas Pierrakos-Mavromichalis G. Papandreou Sakellaropoulos Sofoulis Second Hellenic Republic (1924–1935) Aravantinos Pierrakos-Mavromichalis Kondylis Maris Panagiotopoulos Pangalos Spyridonos Aravantinos Thr. Petimezas Tsaldaris Al. Zaimis Maris Gotsis Zavitsianos Argyropoulos Sideris Karapanagiotis Lidorikis Bakopoulos Tsirimokos I. Metaxas Maris Tsimikalis I. Rallis Moutzouridis Giannopoulos Chloros P. Rallis Tsaldaris P. Rallis Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg) (1935–1973/4) Schinas Triantafyllakos Logothetis Skylakakis Dourentis Maniadakis Collaborationist government Demestichas I. Papadopoulos Tsolakoglou Tsirigotis Tavoularis PEEA Siantos Manouilidis P. Rallis Athanasiadis-Novas Tsatsos P. Voulgaris Gounarakis Psarras Rentis Havinis I. Theotokis Kalkanis Kyrozis Alexandris G. Papandreou P. Mavromichalis Hatzipanos F. Zaimis Lianopoulos Katsotas G. Papandreou Garoufalias Venizelos Modis Giannopoulos Bakopoulos Kiousopoulos Rentis Kiousopoulos Lykourezos Nikolitsas Triantafyllis Lianopoulos Makris Georgakopoulos Makris Lianopoulos G. Rallis Panagiotopoulos St. Mavromichalis Kostopoulos Paraskevopoulos Toumbas Tsirimokos Toumbas F. Zaimis Chr. Stratos Theotokis Military Junta (1967–1974) Pattakos Adroutsopoulos Pattakos Agathangelou Tsoumbas Third Hellenic Republic (since 1974) G. Rallis Chr. Stratos Zepos Stephanopoulos Iordanoglou [el] Mitsopoulos [el] Chr. Stratos Daskalakis [el] Gennimatas Koutsogiorgas Markopoulos [el] Koutsogiorgas Markopoulos [el] Koutsogiorgas Papastefanakis [el] Tsochatzopoulos Markopoulos [el] Konstantopoulos Skouris Katrivanos Kouvelas Kleitos Kefalogiannis Georgakis [el] Tsochatzopoulos Skandalidis Tsochatzopoulos Skouris A. Papadopoulos [el] V. Papandreou Koumandos [el] V. Papandreou Skandalidis Alivizatos Pavlopoulos Flogaitis Pavlopoulos Flogaitis Ragousis Kastanidis Giannitsis [el] Manitakis Stylianidis Michelakis [el] Dinopoulos [el] Voutsis Manitakis Kouroumblis Skourletis Charitsis Roupakiotis Theodorikakos In italics are denoted the interior ministers of parallel or non-recognized governments

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States Other IdRef

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Vasso Papandreou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasso_Papandreou) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasso_Papandreou?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.