Margarita Zavala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margarita Zavala
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| Member of the Chamber of Deputies for Mexico City's 10th District |
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| Assumed office 1 September 2021 |
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| Member of the Chamber of Deputies Proportional representation |
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| In office 1 September 2003 – 31 August 2006 |
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| First Lady of Mexico | |
| In role 1 December 2006 – 30 November 2012 |
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| President | Felipe Calderón |
| Preceded by | Marta Sahagún |
| Succeeded by | Angélica Rivera |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District | |
| In office 15 September 1994 – 14 September 1997 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Margarita Ester Zavala Gómez del Campo
25 July 1967 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Political party | National Action Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Free School of Law (LLB) |
Margarita Ester Zavala Gómez del Campo (born on July 25, 1967) is a Mexican lawyer and politician. She is currently a member of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies, which is like the U.S. House of Representatives.
She is married to Felipe Calderón, who was the President of Mexico from 2006 to 2012. During his presidency, she served as the First Lady of Mexico. In 2018, Zavala also ran for president as an independent candidate, meaning she was not part of a major political party.
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Early Life and Education
Margarita Zavala was born in Mexico City. She was the fifth of seven children. Her parents were both lawyers, and her father was a judge.
She became interested in politics at a young age. When she was 17, she joined the youth group of the National Action Party (often called PAN). It was there, in 1984, that she met her future husband, Felipe Calderón.
Zavala studied law at the Escuela Libre de Derecho (Free School of Law) in Mexico City. She was an excellent student and graduated with a high grade point average.
Political Career
Zavala began her career working for private law firms. She also taught law at a university and at the high school she had attended.
Roles in the National Action Party
Zavala has been an important member of the National Action Party (PAN) since 1991. From 1999 to 2003, she led the party's office for helping women get more involved in politics. During her time as leader, the number of women from the PAN party serving as federal deputies (lawmakers) grew significantly.
In 2001, she helped create the National Women's Institute. This government office works to achieve equal rights for women and end unfair treatment.
Member of Congress
In 2003, Zavala was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. She served on several important committees, including those for Justice and Human Rights and National Defense. In 2006, she left her position to help her husband's campaign for president of Mexico.
First Lady of Mexico
When Felipe Calderón became president in 2006, Margarita Zavala became the First Lady. In this role, she focused on social issues and helping families. She was the president of the advisory board for a government agency that supports child and family development.
Zavala also supported groups that help migrant children and started a national program to help people with addiction. She encouraged people to become organ donors to save lives.
During her husband's time as president, some of her relatives were involved in controversies. A daycare center run by a cousin had a fire where many children sadly died. Investigators found that the building did not meet safety rules. Also, a company owned by her brother received government contracts, which some people felt was a conflict of interest.
Later Political Life
After her husband's presidency ended, many people wondered what Zavala would do next. In 2015, she announced that she wanted to run for president in the 2018 election.
2018 Presidential Campaign
Zavala started her campaign to become president. For a while, polls showed she was a popular choice among candidates from her party. However, she later decided to leave the PAN party and run as an independent candidate.
To run as an independent, she had to collect thousands of signatures from citizens who supported her. She successfully gathered enough signatures to get on the ballot. However, in May 2018, she decided to end her presidential campaign.
Return to Congress
In 2021, Margarita Zavala was elected to the Chamber of Deputies again. She currently represents the 10th district of Mexico City.
Personal Life
Margarita Zavala and Felipe Calderón got married in 1993 after dating for six years. They have three children: María, Luis Felipe, and Juan Pablo.
Zavala has had health issues with her eye, requiring surgery in 2012 and 2016 to prevent a serious condition called retinal detachment.
Honours
Denmark:
Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog
Spain:
Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
See also
- List of first ladies of Mexico
- List of heads of state of Mexico
- History of Mexico
- Politics of Mexico
