Colette Flesch

Colette Flesch fenced for Luxembourg at the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Olympics, but is far better known in Luxembourg for her career in politics. After her father was killed during World War II, Colette Flesch (and her mother) spent some time in France before returning to her native Luxembourg and eventually studying abroad for a post-secondary education in the United States. Flesch studied in the United States at Wellesley College, and then earned a law and diplomacy graduate degree from Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Flesch was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in December 1968. In 1970 she became the first female mayor of Luxembourg City, serving in that role until 1980. She served in the Chamber of Deputies for almost 40 years – 1969-80, 1984-89, and 2004-09. Flesch was also a long-time member of the European Parliament, serving from 1969-80, 1984-85, 1989-90, and 1999-2004. She became secretary-general of Luxembourg’s Democratic Party in 1976 and was President of the party from 1981-89. From 1980-84 she was Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Minister for Foreign Trade, Cooperation, Economics, Enterprise, and Justice. Flesch served as the European Commission’s Director-General for Culture, Communication and Sports from 1990-99.