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José Manuel Barroso facts for kids

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For the Portuguese footballer, see José Barroso (footballer). For the Portuguese modern pentathlete, see Manuel Barroso.
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Durão and the second or paternal family name is Barroso.
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José Manuel Barroso
José Manuel Barroso (cropped).jpg
Barroso in 2013
President of the European Commission
In office
22 November 2004 – 31 October 2014
First Vice-President Margot Wallström
Catherine Ashton
Preceded by Romano Prodi
Succeeded by Jean-Claude Juncker
Prime Minister of Portugal
In office
6 April 2002 – 17 July 2004
President Jorge Sampaio
Preceded by António Guterres
Succeeded by Pedro Santana Lopes
President of the Social Democratic Party
In office
2 May 1999 – 30 June 2004
Secretary-General José Luís Arnaut
Preceded by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Succeeded by Pedro Santana Lopes
Leader of the Opposition
In office
2 May 1999 – 6 April 2002
Prime Minister António Guterres
Preceded by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Succeeded by Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
12 November 1992 – 28 October 1995
Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva
Preceded by João de Deus Pinheiro
Succeeded by Jaime Gama
Member of the Assembly of the Republic
In office
27 October 1995 – 22 November 2004
Constituency Lisbon
In office
13 August 1987 – 26 October 1995
Constituency Viseu
In office
4 November 1985 – 12 August 1987
Constituency Lisbon
Personal details
Born
José Manuel Durão Barroso

(1956-03-23) 23 March 1956 (age 69)
Lisbon, Portugal
Political party Workers' Communist Party (1974–1977)
Social Democratic Party (1980–present)
Spouses
  • Maria Uva
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1980; died 2016)​
  • Joana Gonçalves
    ​
    (m. 2023)​
Children 3
Education University of Lisbon
University of Geneva
Georgetown University
Signature

José Manuel Durão Barroso (born 23 March 1956) is a Portuguese politician and law professor. He is known for serving as the prime minister of Portugal from 2002 to 2004. After that, he became the president of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014.

After leaving his role at the European Commission, Barroso took a job as a senior advisor for a large international bank. This move caused some discussion because it happened soon after he left his public office.

Early Life and Education

José Barroso was born in Lisbon, Portugal. His parents were Luís António Saraiva Barroso and Maria Elisabete de Freitas Durão.

He studied law at the University of Lisbon. Later, he continued his studies in Switzerland, earning a master's degree in political science from the University of Geneva. He also studied European Studies.

Barroso became interested in politics when he was a teenager. This was before Portugal became a democracy in 1974. During his university years, he was part of a student political group.

Political Career

Barroso started his academic career as a professor at the University of Lisbon. He also did research at Georgetown University in the United States. Later, he became a director at Lusíada University in Lisbon.

In 1980, Barroso joined the Social Democratic Party (PSD). This party is in the center-right of Portuguese politics.

Early Government Roles

In 1985, Barroso became an Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. This was under the government of Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva. In 1987, he became the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He held this role for five years. During this time, he helped create the Bicesse Accords in 1990. These agreements brought a temporary end to the Angolan Civil War. He also supported East Timor's independence.

In 1992, Barroso was promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served in this position until 1995.

Prime Minister of Portugal (2002–2004)

In 1995, Barroso was elected to the Assembly of the Republic, which is Portugal's parliament. He became the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee. In 1999, he was elected president of the PSD party. This made him the Leader of the Opposition.

In 2002, the PSD party won the elections. They formed a government with another party, and Barroso became the Prime Minister of Portugal on 6 April 2002.

As Prime Minister, Barroso worked to reduce government spending. He aimed to lower Portugal's budget deficit to meet European Union rules.

Bush, Barroso, Blair, Aznar at Azores
Barroso (far left) with other leaders in the Azores in March 2003

In March 2003, Barroso hosted a meeting in the Azores islands. U.S. President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar attended. They discussed the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Portugal, under Barroso's leadership, supported the invasion and sent non-combat troops.

Barroso did not finish his term as Prime Minister. He was chosen to become the next president of the European Commission in July 2004.

President of the European Commission (2004–2014)

Les trois présidents 2011-11-30
The "three European presidents" in 2011: Jerzy Buzek (Parliament), José Manuel Barroso (Commission), and Herman Van Rompuy (European Council)

In 2004, Barroso was chosen by the European Council to lead the European Commission. The European Commission is like the executive branch of the European Union. It proposes laws and makes sure EU rules are followed.

During his first term, the Commission worked on important topics like Turkey's application to join the EU and changes to EU rules. They also focused on creating a single market for services and addressing climate change.

Belgique - Bruxelles - Schuman - Berlaymont - 01
Headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels.

Barroso was re-elected for a second term in 2009. He was the second Commission president to serve two full terms. His second term ended on 31 October 2014.

In 2012, Barroso suggested that the EU should become a "federation of nation-states." He believed this would help the continent deal with economic challenges.

After Brussels (2015–Present)

After leaving the European Commission, Barroso became a professor at Princeton University and the Portuguese Catholic University. He teaches about international relations and European studies.

In July 2016, Barroso became a senior advisor for Goldman Sachs International, a large bank. This move was discussed because it happened soon after he left his important role in the EU. An independent panel looked into the matter and concluded there were no violations of rules.

In 2020, Barroso was chosen to be the chairman of the board at GAVI, an organization that helps provide vaccines around the world.

He also holds several other positions, including being a member of the Steering Committee for the Bilderberg Group and a member of the Board of Trustees for the UEFA Foundation for Children.

Personal Life

In 1980, José Manuel Barroso married Maria Margarida Pinto Ribeiro de Sousa Uva. They had three sons. Maria died in 2016. In 2023, he married Joana Gonçalves.

Besides Portuguese, Barroso is fluent in French, Spanish, and English. He also has some basic knowledge of German.

Honours and Awards

Barroso has received many awards and honours from Portugal and other countries. These include:

He has also received many other awards and honorary degrees from universities around the world, recognizing his contributions to politics and international relations.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: José Manuel Durão Barroso para niños

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