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Angela Dorothea Merkel (née Kasner; born 17 July 1954) is a retired German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, being the first woman to hold that office. She also served as Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2005 and as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2000 to 2018. During her time as chancellor, Merkel was often regarded as the de facto leader of the European Union (EU) and the most powerful woman in the world. Starting in 2016, she was frequently described as the leader of the free world.

Merkel was born in Hamburg, West Germany, but her family moved to East Germany when she was an infant. She earned a doctorate in quantum chemistry in 1986 and worked as a research scientist until 1989. She entered politics after the Revolutions of 1989, briefly serving as deputy spokeswoman for the first democratically elected government of East Germany under Lothar de Maizière. Following German reunification in 1990, Merkel was elected to the Bundestag for the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. As a protégé of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, she was appointed Minister for Women and Youth in 1991, and later became Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in 1994. After the CDU lost the 1998 federal election, Merkel was elected as the party's general secretary. She became the CDU's first female leader and the first female Leader of the Opposition in 2000.

Angela Merkel was born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, West Germany, as Angela Dorothea Kasner. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to East Germany where her father, a Lutheran pastor, received a parish. Merkel excelled academically, particularly in mathematics and sciences. She studied physics at the University of Leipzig from 1973 to 1978 and later earned a doctorate in physics from the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry at the Academy of Sciences in Berlin-Adlershof in 1986.

Angela Merkel's political career began after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. She joined the newly formed Democratic Awakening party, which later merged with the East German Christian Democratic Union (CDU). After German reunification, she was elected to the Bundestag (German federal parliament) in 1990. Merkel quickly rose through the ranks of the CDU, holding various ministerial positions in Helmut Kohl's government, including Minister for Women and Youth and later Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety.

In 2000, Merkel was elected as the leader of the CDU, becoming the first woman to lead a major German political party. In 2005, she became the first female Chancellor of Germany. Merkel led Germany through significant events, including the European financial crisis, where her advocacy for austerity measures and financial stability was notable. She also played a crucial role during the migrant crisis of 2015, implementing an open-door policy that allowed over a million refugees into Germany.

Merkel was re-elected as Chancellor in 2009, 2013, and 2017, serving four terms in total. Her leadership style, characterized by pragmatism, caution, and a strong emphasis on consensus-building, earned her the nickname "Mutti" (Mom) in German politics.

Angela Merkel's legacy is significant both within Germany and internationally. She is credited with strengthening Germany's economy, promoting renewable energy through the Energiewende initiative, and maintaining European unity during times of crisis. Her handling of the migrant crisis, although controversial, showcased her humanitarian stance and commitment to European values.

Merkel's departure from office in 2021 marked the end of an era in German and European politics. Her tenure is often viewed as a period of stability and prosperity for Germany. Future assessments of her legacy will likely focus on her impact on the European Union, her contributions to global diplomacy, and her ability to navigate Germany through numerous challenges while maintaining a high level of public trust.

As she steps away from political life, Merkel has expressed a desire to stay out of politics and focus on personal interests and rest. Her influence, however, will continue to be felt as future leaders and policymakers draw lessons from her extensive and impactful career.

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2. "Merkel, Angela" Archived 7 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine (US) and "Merkel, Angela". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 10 February 2020.
3.  "Merkel". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
4. Wells, J. C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Pearson 
5. Mangold, Max, ed. (1995). Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch (in German) (6th ed.). Dudenverlag. p. 501. ISBN 978-3-411-20916-3. Merkel ˈmɛrkl̩Education Limited.
6.  Mangold, Max, ed. (1995). Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch (in German) (6th ed.). Dudenverlag. p. 139. ISBN 978-3-411-20916-3. Angela ˈaŋɡela auch: aŋˈɡeːla.