Irina Karamanos
Irina Sabine Alice Karamanos Adrian (born 29 October 1989) holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Education Sciences from the University of Heidelberg. She is the domestic partner of Gabriel Boric, who was inaugurated as President of Chile on 11 March 2022. As a result, she assumed the roles of First Lady of Chile and Director of the Sociocultural Area of the Presidency.[2][3]
Irina Karamanos | |
---|---|
First Lady of Chile | |
Assumed office 11 March 2022 | |
President | Gabriel Boric |
Preceded by | Cecilia Morel |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Santiago, Chile | 29 October 1989
Political party | Social Convergence |
Other political affiliations | Autonomist Movement (2016–2019) |
Domestic partner(s) | Gabriel Boric (2019–present) |
Education | Heidelberg University University of Chile |
Politics
Karamanos is an influential figure in her political party, Social Convergence, where she leads the Feminist Front. Initially, both she and Boric opposed the existence of the First Lady role, with Karamanos stating that it needed to be rethought to reflect the changing times and power dynamics.[4] However, after reflecting on the decision for several weeks, Karamanos decided to take on the role and reform it. She has expressed her intention to focus on issues related to transgender rights and child migration.[5] The decision to assume the role and preserve its existence was met with both support and pushback from various feminist groups in Chile.[6]
Personal life
Karamanos was born to schoolteacher Jorge Karamanos Eleftheriu, who was a Greek community leader in Santiago, Chile during the 1980s.[4] Her mother, Sabine Adrian Gierke, is a German-to-Spanish translator born in Uruguay.[1] Her paternal grandparents were born in Kymi, Greece and her maternal grandparents were born in Germany. She is fluent in Spanish, Greek, English and German.[7]
References
- "Irina Karamanos". Government of Chile.
- Montes, Rocío. "Irina Karamanos, una nueva primera dama para un nuevo Chile". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- "Buenos Aires Times | Chile's first lady elect to give role feminist makeover". www.batimes.com.ar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- Chrysopolous, Philip (20 December 2021). "Irina Karamanos: The Greek Partner of Chile's New President Gabriel Boric". GreekReporter.com. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- "Chile's first lady elect to give role feminist makeover". France 24. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- "Partner of Chile's president-elect draws feminist ire over first lady role". France 24. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ""First Lady" Irina Karamanos Speaks Of Her Greek Roots, Says "Chile Need A Feminist Conception Of Politics"". Greek City Times. 25 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.