Ursula von der Leyen: Europe’s Powerhouse Leader Shaping Global Policy with a $5 Million Net Worth

June 20, 2025 – Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, has solidified her position as one of the most influential figures in global politics, steering the European Union through turbulent times with a focus on defense, economic competitiveness, and international diplomacy. As she navigates escalating tensions in the Middle East, trade disputes, and internal EU challenges, von der Leyen’s leadership has drawn both praise and criticism. With a net worth estimated at $5 million, her career spans medicine, politics, and high-stakes governance, making her a pivotal figure in shaping Europe’s future. Below is a comprehensive biography, highlighting her early life, career, controversies, and financial standing, with a focus on recent developments.

Early Life and Education

Born Ursula Gertrud Albrecht on October 8, 1958, in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, von der Leyen grew up in a family steeped in European integration. Her father, Ernst Albrecht, was a senior German and European civil servant and later Minister-President of Lower Saxony, while her mother, Heidi Adele, was a homemaker. Raised in a multilingual, cosmopolitan environment, von der Leyen is fluent in German, French, and English, reflecting her Brussels upbringing near European institutions.

She studied economics at the University of Göttingen and the London School of Economics before switching to medicine at the Hannover Medical School, earning her medical degree in 1991 and a Master of Public Health in 2001. She worked as a physician at Hannover’s Women’s Clinic from 1992 to 1996, later assisting there until 2002. During this period, she lived in Stanford, California (1992–1996), while her husband, Heiko von der Leyen, a German professor of medicine, pursued academic work.

Political Career and Rise to Power

Von der Leyen’s political career began in 2003 when she joined Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and was elected to the Lower Saxony state parliament. She rose quickly, serving as a minister in Angela Merkel’s cabinets from 2005 to 2019, holding roles as Minister for Family Affairs (2005–2009), Labour and Social Affairs (2009–2013), and Defense (2013–2019). As Germany’s first female Defense Minister, she oversaw military modernization but faced criticism for inefficiencies and scandals, including a €250 million consultant overspend.

In July 2019, von der Leyen was nominated as European Commission President, a surprise choice after a contentious EU leadership selection process. Elected with a slim majority (383–327) in the European Parliament, she became the first woman in the role, serving from December 2019. Her first term focused on the EU Green Deal, COVID-19 vaccine procurement, and navigating Brexit. Re-elected in July 2024, her second term (2024–2029) emphasizes defense, EU enlargement, and countering global powers like China and Russia.

Recent Developments and Global Influence

In 2025, von der Leyen has been at the forefront of major geopolitical issues. At the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada (June 15–17, 2025), she urged tougher sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow into a Ukraine ceasefire, aligning with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposed 500% tariffs on Russian fossil fuel buyers. She also criticized China’s trade practices, accusing Beijing of creating a “near-monopoly” in rare earth elements and flooding markets with subsidized goods like electric vehicles, reviving her hardline stance ahead of an EU-China Summit.

On the Middle East, von der Leyen has faced backlash for her stance on the Israel-Iran conflict. Following Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, including Natanz, she called for a negotiated solution with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing Iran as the “principal source of regional instability”. Irish MEPs, including Billy Kelleher, criticized her for supporting Israel without EU consensus, accusing her of undermining the EU’s role as an “honest broker”. Her 2023 visit to Israel, pledging support after Hamas’s attack, and inaction on a 2024 Ireland-Spain appeal regarding Gaza have fueled accusations of bias.

Domestically, von der Leyen has stirred controversy with a €150 billion ($128 billion) defense loan scheme, bypassing European Parliament scrutiny, which critics like EP President Roberta Metsola argue undermines democratic legitimacy. Her appointment of former spokesperson Eric Mamer as head of DG Environment in July 2025 also raised eyebrows, signaling a reshuffle of key EU roles. In April, she invited global scientists to Europe amid U.S. funding cuts, positioning the EU as a hub for research.

Awards and Recognition

On May 29, 2025, von der Leyen received the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, for advancing European unity, a prestigious honor previously awarded to figures like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized defense, innovation, EU enlargement (notably Ukraine and Moldova), and democratic resilience. Critics, including Yanis Varoufakis, called the award a celebration of “failure, corruption, and warmongering,” citing her defense loan controversy and Middle East stance.

Controversies

Von der Leyen’s tenure has not been without scandal. The “Pfizergate” affair, involving undisclosed text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during 2021 COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, led to a May 2025 EU court ruling that the Commission wrongly withheld them, raising transparency concerns. Her migration policies and perceived shift toward far-right positions, such as delaying a deforestation law, have drawn criticism from progressive MEPs and academics like Alberto Alemanno. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment, with some labeling her a “tyrant” responsible for migration and Ukraine funding issues, though these claims lack substantiation.

Personal Life

Von der Leyen is married to Heiko von der Leyen, a German cardiologist and professor, whom she met at Göttingen University. They have seven children: David, Sophie, Donata, Victoria, Johanna, Egmont, and Gracia, born between 1987 and 1999. The family lived in Brussels and Hanover before settling in Luxembourg, where von der Leyen serves. Her aristocratic lineage, tied to the German Albrecht and Ladson families, and her husband’s noble von der Leyen heritage, add to her public persona as a polished, multilingual leader.

Net Worth

Ursula von der Leyen’s net worth is estimated at $5 million, derived primarily from her political career, investments, and family assets. Her annual salary as European Commission President is approximately €350,000 (about $370,000), supplemented by allowances for residence and travel. Her husband’s academic and medical career, including roles at Stanford and Orgenesis, contributes to their wealth. Real estate holdings, including a family home in Hanover and inherited properties, also factor in. Below is a summary table:

Outlook

Ursula von der Leyen’s second term is marked by bold moves—pushing sanctions on Russia, challenging China’s trade dominance, and navigating the Israel-Iran conflict—while facing criticism for unilateral actions and perceived biases. Her $5 million net worth reflects a stable but modest fortune for a global leader, dwarfed by her influence. As she told Zeit in April 2025, “The West as we knew it no longer exists,” signaling her intent to reposition the EU in a shifting geopolitical landscape. With upcoming challenges like the EU-China Summit and Ukraine’s potential EU accession, von der Leyen’s legacy as a unifying or divisive figure hangs in the balance.

Sources: Reuters, Euronews, The Guardian, DW, The Journal, Politico, AP News, Euractiv, BBC, South China Morning Post, The Electronic Intifada, Posts on X