Ulla Schmidt

German Federal Minister of Health

Ulla Schmidt became the German Federal Minister of Health in 2001— and is now the longest serving person in that position in Europe.

She became a member of the German Bundestag in 1990 working in various policy groups advancing the equality of men and women and family policy.

Between 1985 and 1990, she was a special education teacher, focusing on the rehabilitation of children with learning disabilities and those who are otherwise difficult to educate.

During this time, she was also a member of the SPD party working for teachers of special education in the office of the Minister of Cultural Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia.

She studied Psychology at RWTH Aachen University earning her degree and license to teach secondary school in 1974.