Kazimira Prunskienė facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kazimira Prunskienė
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Prunskienė in 2010
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| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 14 December 2004 – 9 December 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Jeronimas Kraujelis |
| Succeeded by | Kazimieras Starkevičius |
| Member of the Seimas | |
| In office 26 November 1996 – 17 November 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Everistas Raišuotis |
| Succeeded by | Valentinas Stundys |
| Constituency | Molėtai–Švenčionys |
| 1st Prime Minister of Lithuania | |
| In office 17 March 1990 – 10 January 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Position re-established |
| Succeeded by | Albertas Šimėnas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 February 1943 Vasiuliškė, Reichskommissariat Ostland |
| Died | 30 July 2026 (aged 83) |
| Political party | People's Party (2009–2026) |
| Education | Vilnius University |
| Signature |  |
Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė (born 26 February 1943 – died 30 July 2026) was an important Lithuanian politician. She became the first prime minister of Lithuania after the country declared its independence on 11 March 1990. Later, she also served as the Minister of Agriculture in the government led by Gediminas Kirkilas.
Prunskienė was a leader of several political groups, including the Lithuanian People's Party. For a few years, from 1981 to 1986, she worked in West Germany.
In 2004, she ran for president in the 2004 Lithuanian presidential election. She competed against Valdas Adamkus and finished second in the first round. She was not elected in the final vote.
Prunskienė was also part of the Council of Women World Leaders. This is a group of women who have been presidents or prime ministers. Their goal is to work together on important issues for women and fair development around the world.
Contents
A Leader for Lithuania
Early Life and Education
Kazimira Danutė Stankevičiūtė was born on 26 February 1943. Her birthplace was the village of Vasiuliškė, in a region known as Ostland during World War II. This area is now part of Lithuania.
Her father, Pranas Stankevičius, was a forest ranger. He was also a cheerful musician who played many instruments. He entertained people at country weddings. Sadly, her father passed away when she was very young during a difficult time in history.
Kazimira attended Vilnius University. She earned her degree in economics in 1965. Later, in the late 1980s, she completed her doctorate in the same subject. After her studies, she worked at the university. She started as an instructor and became a senior associate in economics.
Before finishing her first degree, Kazimira married Povilas Prunskus. They had three children: a son named Vaidotas and two daughters, Rasa and Daivita. She later married Algimantas Tarvidas in 1989.
Journey into Politics
Prunskienė gradually moved from her university work into government. In 1980, she joined the Lithuanian Communist Party. By 1986, she was the deputy director for the Agricultural Economics Research Institute in Soviet Lithuania.
In 1988, Prunskienė helped create Sąjūdis. This was a movement that grew into a major group supporting Lithuania's independence. In the late 1980s, she became the Deputy Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers in Soviet Lithuania.
First Prime Minister of Lithuania
On 17 March 1990, she was elected as the Prime Minister of Lithuania. This made her the first woman to hold this important position in Lithuania. She was also the first Prime Minister after Lithuania declared independence on 11 March 1990.
Her new role came with big challenges. Mikhail Gorbachev introduced economic restrictions on Lithuania. This was an attempt to bring Lithuania back under the control of the Soviet Union. Prunskienė traveled to many countries, including the United States. She sought support for talks with Gorbachev to end these restrictions.
After serving for nine months, Prunskienė resigned from her prime minister role. She later led the Department of Agriculture in Lithuania.
Later Political Roles
In 1994, Prunskienė left the Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania. The following year, she became the leader of the Lithuanian Women Party. She also led the Peasants and New Democracy Union. She left this party in 2009. Soon after, she founded the Lithuanian People's Party.
Her Legacy and Passing
In 2012, Prunskienė experienced a stroke. Her health then declined, and she no longer took part in politics or public life.
Kazimira Prunskienė passed away on 30 July 2026, at the age of 83.
Sharing Her Ideas
Prunskienė also shared her thoughts through writing. At the Vital Voices Conferences in Vienna, Austria, on 10 July 1997, she published a work titled The Role Of Women In Democracy: The Experience Of Lithuania. In this writing, she discussed the role of women in society and politics in Lithuania.
See also
In Spanish: Kazimira Prunskienė para niños
