President of European Central Bank Christine Lagarde addresses a news conference following the meeting of the Governing Council's monetary in Frankfurt, Germany March 10, 2022.
President of European Central Bank Christine Lagarde addresses a news conference following the meeting of the Governing Council's monetary in Frankfurt, Germany March 10, 2022.
Daniel Roland/Pool/Reuters
CNN  — 

Here’s a look at the life of Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank.

Personal

Birth date: January 1, 1956

Birth place: Paris, France

Birth name: Christine Madeleine Odette Lallouette

Father: Robert Lallouette, a professor of English literature

Mother: Nicole Lallouette, a professor of French, Latin and ancient Greek

Marriages: Wilfried Lagarde (1982-1992, divorced); Eachran Gilmour (divorced)

Children: with Wilfried Lagarde: Thomas and Pierre-Henri

Education: University Paris X Nanterre, J.D.; Political Science Institute in Aix en Provence, M.A.

Other Facts

Is an accomplished synchronized swimmer; earned a spot on the French national team while in her teens.

Speaks French, English and Spanish.

The first woman to serve as finance minister of a G7 nation, managing director of the IMF and now president of the European Central Bank.

Timeline

1981-2005 - Associate and later partner in the Paris office of the international law firm Baker & McKenzie.

1999-2005 - First female chairman at Baker & McKenzie.

July 2000 - Is appointed Knight of the Legion of Honour.

June 2, 2005-May 15, 2007 - Minister of Foreign Trade.

May 18-June 18, 2007 - Minister of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Forestry.

June 19, 2007-June 28, 2011 - Is the first woman to serve as the Minister of Finance, Economy and Trade in France.

June 28, 2011 - Is appointed as IMF Managing Director and Madame Chairman of the Executive Board, replacing Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

July 5, 2011 - Begins her five-year term as managing director of the IMF. The IMF discloses that Lagarde will receive an annual salary of $467,940 after taxes and an annual allowance of $83,760 for living expenses.

March 20, 2013 - Lagarde’s Paris home is searched as part of an investigation into her role in settling a business dispute while she was finance minister.

August 27, 2014 - Lagarde announces she has been placed under formal investigation in France for her alleged involvement in a long-running fraud case that stems from 2008 when she was finance minister under former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Prosecutors believe that Lagarde was negligent in dealing with a case in which a supporter of Sarkozy – Bernard Tapie – was awarded a settlement worth 285 million euros plus interest. Prosecutors believe Lagarde gave Tapie preferential treatment.

December 17, 2015 - It is announced that Lagarde has been ordered to appear in court over her alleged involvement in the Tapie fraud case.

May 15, 2016 - A French newspaper publishes an open letter signed by 17 leading women from government, including Lagarde, that says the behavior of France’s male elite must change. The letter states that while their political beliefs span a broad spectrum, they stand united. “We defend different ideas, but we share the will that sexism has no place in our society.”

July 2016 - Lagarde is appointed to her second five-year term as the Managing Director of the IMF.

July 22, 2016 - It is decided in a French court that Lagarde must stand trial over her handling of a long-running fraud case involving the rewarding of 285 million euros plus interest of public funds to Tapie.

September 12, 2016 - A French court rejects Lagarde’s appeal and sets a December trial date at a special court that tries ministers for crimes in office.

December 12, 2016 - Lagarde’s trial begins. She will take leave from her job but will still be “working during the evenings and at night with her [IMF] colleagues,” a spokesman said.

December 19, 2016 - Lagarde is found guilty of negligence but will not be fined or serve any time in jail.

December 4, 2018 - Forbes ranks Lagarde third on its list of the world’s most powerful women, behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

July 2, 2019 - Lagarde is chosen to succeed Mario Draghi as the president of the European Central Bank. Draghi’s eight-year term ends in October 2019. She announces via Twitter that she is temporarily stepping down as the head of the IMF during the nomination process.

July 16, 2019 - Lagarde announces her resignation from the IMF, effective September 12, 2019.

November 1, 2019 - Begins serving as president of the European Central Bank.

Born in 1956 in Paris, France, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Christine Lagarde</a>'s rise through the world of finance has seen her move from national to international leadership, resulting in her now managing the global economy at a time of crisis. <br /><br />After graduating from Paris West University Nanterre La Défense, formerly known as Paris X Nanterre, and completing a Master's degree at the Institute of Political Studies in Aix en Provence, she joined international law firm <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Baker & McKenzie</a> in 1981. <br />By <a target="_blank" target="_blank"><strong>Phoebe Parke</strong></a>, for CNN
Born in 1956 in Paris, France, Christine Lagarde's rise through the world of finance has seen her move from national to international leadership, resulting in her now managing the global economy at a time of crisis.

After graduating from Paris West University Nanterre La Défense, formerly known as Paris X Nanterre, and completing a Master's degree at the Institute of Political Studies in Aix en Provence, she joined international law firm Baker & McKenzie in 1981.
By Phoebe Parke, for CNN
Courtesy JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP/Getty Images
In June 2005, Lagarde joined the French government as Minister for Foreign Trade under French President Jacques Chirac. <br />She is seen here with French Minister of Economy Thierry Breton (R) arriving at a press conference in Paris, France.
Christine Lagarde's career in pictures —
In June 2005, Lagarde joined the French government as Minister for Foreign Trade under French President Jacques Chirac.
She is seen here with French Minister of Economy Thierry Breton (R) arriving at a press conference in Paris, France.
In 2007, the mother of two became Finance and Economy Minister for France, making her the first woman to adopt this position in a G7 country. <br /><br />In this picture she stands with her fellow G7 finance ministers in Washington DC.<br /><br />From left to right: James Flaherty of Canada, Christine Lagarde of France, Peer Steinbruck of Germany, Henry Paulson of the United States, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa of Italy, Fukushiro Nukaga of Japan, Alistair Darling of the United Kingdom, and Jean-Claude Juncker of the Eurogroup.
Christine Lagarde's career in pictures —
In 2007, the mother of two became Finance and Economy Minister for France, making her the first woman to adopt this position in a G7 country.

In this picture she stands with her fellow G7 finance ministers in Washington DC.

From left to right: James Flaherty of Canada, Christine Lagarde of France, Peer Steinbruck of Germany, Henry Paulson of the United States, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa of Italy, Fukushiro Nukaga of Japan, Alistair Darling of the United Kingdom, and Jean-Claude Juncker of the Eurogroup.
Courtesy Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
From July to December 2008, Lagarde also chaired the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (<a target="_blank" target="_blank">ECOFIN)</a>. <br /><br />The council brings together all the finance ministers of the EU's member-states to discuss areas such as economic policy coordination, financial markets and economic relations with third world countries. <br />
Christine Lagarde's career in pictures —
From July to December 2008, Lagarde also chaired the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).

The council brings together all the finance ministers of the EU's member-states to discuss areas such as economic policy coordination, financial markets and economic relations with third world countries.
Courtesy ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Lagarde was named the best Minister of Finance in the Eurozone in 2009, by the <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Financial Times</a>. <br /><br />Here she sits with Patrick Devedjian, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon to meet with French businessmen at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2009.
Christine Lagarde's career in pictures —
Lagarde was named the best Minister of Finance in the Eurozone in 2009, by the Financial Times.

Here she sits with Patrick Devedjian, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon to meet with French businessmen at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2009.
Courtesy MICHEL EULER/AFP/Getty Images
In June 2011 Lagarde was appointed as the 11th Managing Director of the<a target="_blank" target="_blank"> International Monetary Fund</a>, following previous Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned due to scandal. <br />She is the first woman to hold the position and adopted the role at a time of global economic crisis.
Lagarde: A career in pictures —
In June 2011 Lagarde was appointed as the 11th Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, following previous Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned due to scandal.
She is the first woman to hold the position and adopted the role at a time of global economic crisis.
Courtesy Stephen Jaffe/IMF via Getty Images
In April 2012, Lagarde was named an officer in the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees of which officer is the fourth. <br /><br />Here, Lagarde watches school girls in the computer room at Toutes a l'Ecole school in Kandal province, Cambodia. The school was visited as part of a three country trip to Asia in December 2013.
Lagarde: A career in pictures —
In April 2012, Lagarde was named an officer in the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees of which officer is the fourth.

Here, Lagarde watches school girls in the computer room at Toutes a l'Ecole school in Kandal province, Cambodia. The school was visited as part of a three country trip to Asia in December 2013.
Courtesy Stephen Jaffe/IMF Photograph via Getty Images
During a visit to Myanmar, Asia in 2013, Lagarde met with Vice President Nyan Tun, Finance Minister Win Shein and Central Bank Governor Kyaw Kyaw Maung and politician Aung San Suu Kyi.<br /><br />"The IMF will continue to stand with Myanmar through policy advice," said Lagarde on the last day of her visit. "And through enhanced technical assistance and training, to help the people of Myanmar strengthen their capacity and build the strong institutions needed to sustain a vibrant economy in the years to come." <br /><br />She also stressed the significant macroeconomic benefits that can result from greater participation of women in the economy, including in Myanmar.<br /><br />Lagarde shows off a Myanmar water polo jacket as she watches Myanmar against Thailand in water polo at the 27th Annual SEA Games in December 2013 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Lagarde: A career in pictures —
During a visit to Myanmar, Asia in 2013, Lagarde met with Vice President Nyan Tun, Finance Minister Win Shein and Central Bank Governor Kyaw Kyaw Maung and politician Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The IMF will continue to stand with Myanmar through policy advice," said Lagarde on the last day of her visit. "And through enhanced technical assistance and training, to help the people of Myanmar strengthen their capacity and build the strong institutions needed to sustain a vibrant economy in the years to come."

She also stressed the significant macroeconomic benefits that can result from greater participation of women in the economy, including in Myanmar.

Lagarde shows off a Myanmar water polo jacket as she watches Myanmar against Thailand in water polo at the 27th Annual SEA Games in December 2013 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
"Peru continues to be one of the most vibrant economies in the world," said Lagarde during a visit to the country in 2014. <br />"I experienced firsthand how vital grassroots economy has become and the increasingly important role women play as agents of change. I also had the opportunity to discuss education, sustainability, job creation and gender equality in my meetings with youth entrepreneurs and women leaders."<br /><br />Here Lagarde is pictured with Peru's First Lady Nadine Heredia picking vegetables while touring the community of Ayacucho, southeast of Lima in December 2014.
Lagarde: A career in pictures —
"Peru continues to be one of the most vibrant economies in the world," said Lagarde during a visit to the country in 2014.
"I experienced firsthand how vital grassroots economy has become and the increasingly important role women play as agents of change. I also had the opportunity to discuss education, sustainability, job creation and gender equality in my meetings with youth entrepreneurs and women leaders."

Here Lagarde is pictured with Peru's First Lady Nadine Heredia picking vegetables while touring the community of Ayacucho, southeast of Lima in December 2014.
In 2014, Lagarde was ranked the 5th most powerful woman in the world by <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Forbes</a> magazine.<br /><br />"I'm the managing director of the International Monetary Fund.," she recently told CNN. "I don't want to let my female colleagues around the globe down." <br /><br />However, in August 2014 she was <a >placed under formal investigation</a> in France for her alleged involvement in a long-running fraud case. When asked by CNN about how she copes with the allegation she replied: "With strength, with my sense of duty to my country, with the certainty that I made the right choice at the time independently and the rest is dealt with now by the lawyers... so I don't focus on the issue anymore."
In 2014, Lagarde was ranked the 5th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine.

"I'm the managing director of the International Monetary Fund.," she recently told CNN. "I don't want to let my female colleagues around the globe down."

However, in August 2014 she was placed under formal investigation in France for her alleged involvement in a long-running fraud case. When asked by CNN about how she copes with the allegation she replied: "With strength, with my sense of duty to my country, with the certainty that I made the right choice at the time independently and the rest is dealt with now by the lawyers... so I don't focus on the issue anymore."
Courtesy Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Christine Lagarde: The rise of a global banking boss