Gabriela Rivadeneira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabriela Rivadeneira
Rivadeneira in 2017
President of the National Assembly
In office 14 May 2013 – 14 May 2017
Preceded by	Fernando Cordero Cueva
Succeeded by	José Serrano
Member of the National Assembly for the National Constituency
In office 14 May 2013 – 14 May 2021
Governor of Imbabura Province
In office 28 July 2011 – 9 November 2012
President	Rafael Correa
Preceded by	Pedro Dávila
Succeeded by	Marcelo Villamarín
Vice Prefect of Imbabura Province
In office 31 August 2009 – 27 July 2011
President	Rafael Correa
Personal details
Born	(1983-07-25) 25 July 1983 (age 41) Quito, Ecuador
Political party	PAIS Alliance (Before 2018) Citizen Revolution Movement (After 2018)
Website	gabrielarivadeneira.com

Gabriela Alejandra Rivadeneira Burbano (born 25 July 1983) is a politician from Ecuador. She was the President of Ecuador's National Assembly. This is like being the leader of the country's main law-making group. She held this important job from May 2013 to May 2017. Before that, she was the Governor of Imbabura Province from 2011 to 2012.

She was also a top leader of the PAIS Alliance political party. Later, she became a leader of the Citizen Revolution Movement party.

Gabriela Rivadeneira's Early Life

Gabriela Rivadeneira was born in Quito, Ecuador. She was the first of four children in her family. When she was five years old, her family moved to Otavalo.

In 2000, at age 17, she won a beauty pageant. This was called Reina del Yamor, which means Queen of Yamor. This made her well-known in her local area. Her popularity helped her get involved in local politics.

Gabriela went to the Colegio Santa Juana de Chantal school. While there, she was the president of the advice board. She also led the student board.

Cultural Activities and Activism

In 1998, when she was 14, Gabriela started a cultural group called Mirarte. She saw this group as a way to express herself. It was also a way to speak up about what was happening in Ecuador at the time.

Later, her group helped make the first children's movie in Ecuador. It was called Sara la Espantapájaros. Gabriela even had a role in the movie! She has shared that when she was younger, she used to spray graffiti. This was to protest against things like foreign debt and certain trade agreements.

Her Journey in Politics

Gabriela Rivadeneira began her political journey in her hometown. She served as a councilwoman for the city of Otavalo. She held this position from 2004 to 2008. She won elections in both 2004 and 2008.

From 2004 to 2006, she was part of the Pachakutik party. In 2006, she left that party. She then joined a group that later became part of the PAIS Alliance. She was also the vice mayor of Otavalo from 2006 to 2008.

Between 2009 and 2011, she was the vice prefect of Imbabura Province. This is a role similar to a deputy governor. She was also a member of the national leadership of the PAIS Alliance.

Becoming a Governor

On 28 July 2011, Gabriela became the Governor of Imbabura Province. She took over after the previous governor stepped down. To become governor, she had to leave her role as Vice Prefect.

At 28 years old, Gabriela was very young for this job. She became the first female governor of Imbabura Province. She was also the youngest person to hold this position. President Rafael Correa chose her for this important role.

On 9 November 2012, Gabriela resigned as governor. This was so she could run in the 2013 general election.

National Politics and Leadership

In the February 2013 elections, Gabriela led the PAIS Alliance party. She was at the top of their list for the National Assembly. This is Ecuador's main law-making body. She received many votes, showing strong support from the people.

On 14 May 2013, Gabriela Rivadeneira was chosen as the President of the National Assembly. She received 107 out of 137 votes. This was a very important leadership role in the country.

Some people even thought she might become the next President of Ecuador. However, she was not old enough to be president at that time.

In May 2015, Gabriela was re-elected as President of the National Assembly. In February 2016, she also became the President of the Latin American Parliament. This means she led a group of lawmakers from different countries in Latin America.

Her public approval rating changed over time. In February 2017, she was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly. She received the most votes among all women candidates.

On 1 May 2017, she was chosen as the executive secretary of the PAIS Alliance party. On 14 May 2017, José Serrano took over as President of the National Assembly.

Later, there was a disagreement within the PAIS Alliance party. Gabriela sided with former President Rafael Correa. She left the PAIS Alliance and became a leader of the new Citizen Revolution Movement party.

During some protests in Ecuador in October 2019, Gabriela sought safety. She went to the embassy of Mexico in Quito. On 9 January 2020, she moved to Mexico with her family. As of May 2022, she was still living in Mexico.

Personal Life

Gabriela Rivadeneira is married to a writer named Luis Flores. They have two children together. She has shared that she enjoys reading books by Eduardo Galeano.

See also

In Spanish: Gabriela Rivadeneira para niños