Maria Borelius facts for kids

Maria Sigrid Astrid Borelius, born on July 6, 1960, is a Swedish journalist and businesswoman. She used to be the Minister for Foreign Trade for a short time. Maria also worked as a science journalist and started her own businesses.

Today, she advises big companies, universities, and other organizations around the world. She is part of the advisory council for Open Europe, a group that thinks about how to improve the European Union. Maria also helps a company called Living Waters in London with fundraising and public relations. She advises the Karolinska Institute, which is famous for awarding the Nobel Prize in medicine. She also works as a writer for a Swedish business newspaper, Dagens Industri, where she writes about business, science, and world events.

Maria Borelius's Career Journey

Maria Borelius has had a varied and interesting career. She has worked in many different fields, from helping charities to being a government minister.

Helping Others Around the World

Between 2007 and 2012, Maria Borelius was a leader at Hand in Hand International. This charity helps women in developing countries start their own businesses and find jobs. During her time there, the number of women helped grew from 150,000 to over 1 million. This charity worked in places like India, South Africa, and Afghanistan. They also created a way to raise money internationally, working with the United Nations and other groups.

Working with Companies and Science

Maria Borelius has also been on the boards of several companies listed on the Swedish stock exchange. Many of these were technology companies like Active Biotech, Sweco, and Telelogic. She also served on the Swedish National Science board, which helps guide science in Sweden.

Time in Politics

In 2006, Maria Borelius ran for election with the Moderate Party in Sweden. She wanted to help people start businesses and make schools better. She was elected to the Swedish Parliament from Stockholm County. After the election, she became the Minister for Foreign Trade in the new government. However, she resigned from this role just eight days after being appointed.

The Swedish government later changed some rules about private childcare to make things clearer for everyone.

Media and Journalism Work

Before her time in politics, Maria Borelius was a well-known science journalist. She worked as an editor for the evening news show "Rapport" on Swedish national public TV. She was also the main presenter for the science program NOVA for many years.

She created many TV shows about popular science. She also wrote several books about health and medicine, including "Sedan du fött" and "Motboken".

Personal Life

Maria Borelius has lived in Great Britain since 2000. She is married to Greger Larson and has four children, born in 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1995.

Education and Learning

Maria Borelius has a strong educational background in science and journalism.

• New York University 1986 (Master of Science Reporting)
• Lund University 1984 (Bachelor's degree in Biology, Mathematics, and Physics)

Awards and Recognition

Maria Borelius has received several awards for her work in journalism and science.

• 2001 The honorary "Hierta" scholarship from the Swedish Journalist Association.
• 1994 Great Journalist prize from the Swedish Cancerfund.
• 1984 Scholarship Swedish Science Association.