Angela Merkel is 72 years old as of October 2026. She was born on 17 July 1954.
Physicist turned politician who served 16 years as Germany's first female chancellor, steering Europe through repeated crises
Did you know?She holds a doctorate in quantum chemistry and worked as a research scientist before entering politics.
Quick facts
Date of birth17 July 1954
Age72
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceHamburg, Germany
Occupationpolitician, physicist, statesperson
Editor's Take:
Angela Merkel's leadership style was famously calm, cautious and analytical, earning her a reputation as Europe's steady hand. Raised in communist East Germany, she entered politics only after the fall of the Berlin Wall and rose remarkably quickly. As chancellor from 2005 to 2021, she guided Germany through the global financial crisis, the euro debt crisis and the Covid pandemic. Her decision in 2015 to welcome large numbers of refugees was praised internationally but divided opinion at home. She was widely seen as the most powerful woman in the world during her time in office.
Key Milestones
1986: Earns a doctorate in quantum chemistry
1990: Elected to the Bundestag
2000: Becomes CDU leader
2005: Becomes Germany's first female chancellor
2015: Opens Germany's borders to refugees
2021: Leaves office
Angela Dorothea Merkel (née Kasner; born 17 July 1954) is a German stateswoman and retired politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. She is the only woman to have held the office and the only former East German.
