Sandra Kalniete facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandra Kalniete
Kalniete in 2024
Member of the European Parliament for Latvia
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 July 2009
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries
In office 1 May 2004 – 11 November 2004
President	Romano Prodi
Preceded by	Franz Fischler
Succeeded by	Mariann Fischer Boel (Agriculture and Rural Development) Joe Borg (Fisheries and Maritime Affairs)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 7 November 2002 – 9 March 2004
Prime Minister	Einars Repše
Preceded by	Indulis Bērziņš
Succeeded by	Rihards Pīks
Personal details
Born	(1952-12-22) 22 December 1952 (age 72) Togur [ru], Tomsk Oblast, Soviet Union (now Russia)
Political party	Popular Front (Before 1993) New Era Party (2002–2008) Civic Union (2008–2011) Unity (2011–present)
Alma mater	Art Academy of Latvia University of Leeds University of Geneva
Website	www.kalniete.lv

Sandra Kalniete (born December 22, 1952) is a well-known Latvian politician, writer, and diplomat. She played an important role in Latvia's movement to become independent.

She served as the Foreign Minister of Latvia from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, she became a European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries. Since 2009, she has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the European People's Party.

As of July 2025, she is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. She is also a substitute member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. She works with groups that focus on relations with Southeast Asian countries and Ukraine.

After being re-elected in 2014, she became a Vice-Chair of the Group of the European People's Party in the European Parliament. She also leads the Reconciliation of European Histories Group. This group works to understand Europe's past, especially related to governments that controlled everything.

Before her time in the European Parliament, she was an Ambassador for Latvia. She represented Latvia at the United Nations (1993–1997), in France (1997–2000), and at UNESCO (2000–2002). Besides her native Latvian, she speaks English, French, and Russian fluently.

Early Life and Education

Sandra Kalniete was born in Togur, a place in Siberia, Russia. Her family was forced to move there from Latvia by the Soviet secret police. This happened during a time when the Soviet Union controlled Latvia. Her mother was deported in 1941 and again in 1949. Her father was also deported in 1949.

Sandra was five years old when her family was finally allowed to return to Latvia in 1957. She studied art at the Latvian Academy of Art from 1977 to 1981. She became an art historian and wrote a book called Latvian Textile Art in 1989.

Starting Her Career

Sandra Kalniete began her political journey in 1988. This was during Latvia's movement to gain independence. She was a deputy chairwoman and one of the people who started the Latvian Popular Front. This was a major group that supported Latvia becoming independent.

She earned a Master of Arts degree from the Art Academy of Latvia in 1996. She also studied at the University of Leeds and the University of Geneva. The Geneva Graduate Institute later honored her for her inspiring story.

After Latvia became independent, Kalniete worked for Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She served as Latvia's ambassador to the UN from 1993 to 1997. She was also ambassador to France from 1997 to 2000 and to UNESCO from 2000 to 2002.

Political Journey

Kalniete became the Foreign Minister of Latvia in November 2002. She held this position until 2004. In 2004, she was chosen as the first Latvian Commissioner for the European Union. Her role involved overseeing agriculture and fisheries.

She later joined the New Era Party in 2006. In October 2006, she was elected to the Latvian parliament. She was considered a candidate for Latvian president in 2007 but later supported another candidate.

From 2006 to 2007, Kalniete was part of the Amato Group. This group of European politicians worked on rewriting a treaty for Europe. This work led to what is now known as the Treaty of Lisbon.

In 2008, Kalniete left the New Era Party. She joined a new party called Civic Union and became its leader. She was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2009. She was re-elected in 2014, 2019, and again in 2024.

Working for Human Rights

Sandra Kalniete is very active in human rights. She works to raise awareness about the harmful actions of governments that controlled everything. She chairs the Reconciliation of European Histories Group in the European Parliament. This group helps European countries understand their past.

In 2004, she stated that the Soviet government caused great harm to people in Eastern Europe. She believes that both Nazism and Communism were equally harmful. She has spoken about the large number of people who suffered under these systems.

Her Book and Translations

Sandra Kalniete wrote a book called Ar balles kurpēm Sibīrijas sniegos. This title means With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows. The book tells the story of her family's experiences.

It has been translated into many languages, including:

• Albanian: "Këpucë balerine mbi dëborën siberiane"
• French: En escarpins dans les neiges de Sibérie
• German: Mit Ballschuhen im sibirischen Schnee
• Italian: Scarpette da ballo nelle nevi di Siberia
• Japanese: Dansu shûzu de yuki no Shiberia e
• Czech: V plesových střevíčkách sibiřským sněhem
• Swedish: Med högklackade skor i Sibiriens snö
• English: With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows
• Russian: В бальных туфельках по сибирским снегам
• Finnish: Tanssikengissä Siperiaan
• Dutch: Op dansschoenen in de Siberische sneeuw
• Arabic
• Spanish: Con zapatos de fiesta en las nieves de Siberia
• Tamil: ஸைபீரியப் பனியில் நடனக் காலணியுடன்
• Hungarian: Báli cipőben Szibériába

Awards and Recognition

Sandra Kalniete has received many awards for her work. These awards recognize her contributions to Latvia and Europe.

Some of her notable awards include:

• 1995 – Commander of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia)
• 2001 – Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
• 2004 – Commander's Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (Lithuania)
• 2009 – Order "Mérite Européen" in Gold, for promoting a stronger Europe.
• 2009 – Medal of the Baltic Assembly, for strengthening unity among Baltic Nations.
• 2018 – Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom
• 2020 – Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class (Ukraine)

See also

In Spanish: Sandra Kalniete para niños