Manuela Ferreira Leite facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Her Excellency Manuela Ferreira Leite GCC GCIH
Ferreira Leite in 2009
Chancellor of the National Orders
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 July 2011
President	Aníbal Cavaco Silva Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Preceded by	João Bosco Mota Amaral
President of the Social Democratic Party
In office 20 June 2008 – 9 April 2010
Secretary-General	Luís Marques Guedes
Preceded by	Luís Filipe Menezes
Succeeded by	Pedro Passos Coelho
Minister of Finance
In office 6 April 2002 – 17 July 2004
Prime Minister	José Manuel Barroso
Preceded by	Guilherme d'Oliveira Martins
Succeeded by	Bagão Félix
Minister of Education
In office 7 December 1993 – 28 October 1995
Prime Minister	Aníbal Cavaco Silva
Preceded by	António Couto dos Santos
Succeeded by	Eduardo Marçal Grilo
Secretary of State for the Budget
In office 5 January 1990 – 7 December 1993
Prime Minister	Aníbal Cavaco Silva
Preceded by	Rui Carp
Succeeded by	Norberto Rosa
Member of the Assembly of the Republic
In office 15 October 2009 – 19 June 2011
Constituency	Lisbon
In office 1 October 1995 – 17 July 2004
Constituency	Évora (1995–1999) Lisbon (1999–2004)
Personal details
Born	Maria Manuela Dias Ferreira (1940-12-03) 3 December 1940 (age 84) Lisbon, Portugal
Political party	Social Democratic Party
Spouse	Rui Leite (div.)
Children	3
Relatives	José Dias Ferreira (great-grandfather) Pedro Santana Lopes (cousin)
Alma mater	Lisbon School of Economics and Management
Profession	Economist
Awards

Maria Manuela Dias Ferreira Leite (born 3 December 1940) is a Portuguese economist and a former politician. She has held important roles in the Portuguese government. For example, she was the Minister of Education from 1993 to 1995. Later, she served as the Minister of State and Finance from 2002 to 2004.

Manuela Ferreira Leite also led the Social Democratic Party from June 2008 to April 2010. Since 2011, she has been the Chancellor of the National Orders of Portugal. This means she helps manage the country's official awards and honors.

Early Life and Family

Manuela Ferreira Leite was born in Lisbon, Portugal. She comes from a family with a long history of famous lawyers. Her brother, José Dias Ferreira, is also a lawyer and a well-known commentator on politics and sports.

Her father, Carlos Eugénio Dias Ferreira, studied Law at the University of Lisbon. Her mother, Julieta Teixeira de Carvalho, was an engineer. Manuela Ferreira Leite's great-grandfather, José Dias Ferreira, was also an important government minister.

Education and Professional Path

Manuela Ferreira Leite studied Finances at the ISEG - Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão in Lisbon. This is a famous school for economics and finance. Her education prepared her for a career in managing money and public funds.

After her studies, she took on several important jobs in the Portuguese government.

Government Roles

Manuela Ferreira Leite served as the Minister of Education from 1993 to 1995. During this time, she worked under Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva. One of the big challenges she faced was dealing with tuition fees for college students.

Later, from 2002 to 2004, she became the Minister of State and Finances. She worked in the government led by Prime Minister José Durão Barroso. In this role, she was in charge of the country's money and budget.

In 2006, she also worked as a non-executive administrator for a bank called Banco Santander Totta. From 2006 to 2008, she was a member of the Council of State. This is a group of important people who advise the President of Portugal.

Leading a Political Party

On 31 May 2008, Manuela Ferreira Leite was chosen to be the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). She led the party during the 2009 national elections. Even though her party gained more votes and seats, they did not win enough to form the government.

Because her party was the largest one not in government, she became the Leader of the Opposition. She was replaced as party leader by Pedro Passos Coelho on 9 April 2010.

After stepping down from leading the PSD, she stopped being actively involved in party politics. However, she is still a member of the party. Today, she has a weekly show on the TV channel TVI 24. On this show, she shares her thoughts on politics and current events.

Personal Life

Manuela Ferreira Leite was married to Rui Leite, who was also an Economist. They are now divorced. They have three children together:

• Nuno Dias Ferreira Leite, who has two daughters:
  • Marta Bessa Campos Ferreira Leite
  • Catarina Bessa Campos Ferreira Leite
• João Dias Ferreira Leite
• Ana Dias Ferreira Leite, who has three children:
  • Maria Ferreira Leite de Quintanilha e Mendonça (born 2006)
  • João Maria Ferreira Leite de Quintanilha e Mendonça (born 2008)
  • Vasco Ferreira Leite de Quintanilha e Mendonça (born 2012)

Honours and Awards

Manuela Ferreira Leite has received two very important awards from Portugal:

• 

  Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
• 

  Grand-Cross of the Order of Christ

These awards recognize her important contributions and service to Portugal.

Electoral History

Manuela Ferreira Leite participated in important elections during her political career.

PSD Leadership Election, 2008

In 2008, she ran to become the leader of the Social Democratic Party.

Legislative Election, 2009

In 2009, she led her party in the national legislative election.

See also

In Spanish: Manuela Ferreira Leite para niños