Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the world’s first elected female president
6 years ago(FILES) This file photo taken on February 9, 1995 shows then Icelandic President Vigdis Finnbogadottir addressing participants at the start of a conference entitled "Man-Woman Equality: Utopia or Challenge", organized by the European Council, in Strasbourg's Palace of Europe. - When Vigdis Finnbogadottir assumed Iceland's presidency 40 years ago, on August 1, 1980, she made history as the first elected female head of state in the world, and four decades later the 90-year-old remains a role-model to Icelanders. With 16 consecutive years in office, thanks to three re-elections, the former teacher and theatre director holds the record for elected female heads of state and government, though Germany's Angela Merkel could match her next year. (Photo by ERIC CABANIS / AFP)
When Vigdis Finnbogadottir assumed Iceland's presidency on August 1 1980, she made history as the first elected female head of state in the world, and four decades later the 90-year-old remains a role-model to Icelanders.