Christine Lagarde
Born 1956 · Age 69
French lawyer, politician and central banker; first woman to serve as France's Finance Minister (2007–11), Managing Director of the IMF (2011–19) and President of the European Central Bank (since 2019).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Paris
Christine Madeleine Odette Lallouette (later Lagarde) born in Paris into a family of teachers.
Completed baccalauréat
Completed secondary education (baccalauréat) in France before an AFS scholarship to the U.S.
AFS scholarship to Holton-Arms School (USA)
Spent an academic year at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland on an American Field Service scholarship.
Interned at U.S. Capitol
Interned as Representative William Cohen's congressional assistant while in the U.S.; worked during the Watergate hearings, helping correspond with French-speaking constituents.
Master's degree, Sciences Po Aix
Obtained a master's degree from the Political Science Institute (Sciences Po Aix), Aix-en-Provence.
Master's degrees from Paris Nanterre University
Graduated from Paris Nanterre University with master's degrees in English, labour law, and social law.
Lecturer at University Paris X Law School
Lectured in contract law at University Paris X (noted in biographical sources for 1980–1982).
Joined Baker & McKenzie as associate
Admitted to the Paris Bar and joined the international law firm Baker & McKenzie, specializing in labour, antitrust, and M&A.
Married Wilfried Lagarde
Married French financial analyst Wilfried Lagarde (marriage later ended in divorce in 1992).
Birth of son Pierre-Henri Lagarde
First son, Pierre-Henri Lagarde, born.
Made partner at Baker & McKenzie
Promoted to partner after six years at the firm; rose to head of the firm's Western Europe practice and increased responsibilities.
Birth of son Thomas Lagarde
Second son, Thomas Lagarde, born.
Joined Baker & McKenzie Global Executive Committee
Became a member of Baker & McKenzie's Executive Committee, first woman to do so.
Elected Global Chair of Baker & McKenzie
Elected the firm's first female Global Chairman (chair of the Global Executive Committee) in October 1999; later re-elected.
Re-elected Global Chair, Baker & McKenzie
Re-elected as global head (re-election reported three years after first election).
Director of Baker & McKenzie subsidiaries in tax jurisdictions (reported)
Press reporting later identified Lagarde as a director of two Baker & McKenzie subsidiaries based in tax havens (date reported in later media coverage).
Became President of Global Strategic Committee, Baker & McKenzie
Shifted to be president of the firm's Global Strategic Committee in 2004 before leaving for public service.
Appointed Minister for Foreign Trade (France)
Returned to France to join Dominique de Villepin's government as Minister for Foreign Trade (in office 2 June 2005 – 15 May 2007).
Launched 'Cap Export' to help exporters
As Trade Minister prioritized opening new markets and launched measures (Cap Export) to help French exporters, especially in tech.
Began partnership with Xavier Giocanti
Public reports indicate she began a partnership with entrepreneur Xavier Giocanti from Marseille (sources differ on timing and marriage status).
Ordered arbitration in Bernard Tapie dispute (reported)
As Finance Minister she approved sending the dispute with Bernard Tapie to arbitration (decision later became the centre of controversy).
Appointed Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
Moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on 18 May 2007 in François Fillon's government (brief stint until June 2007).
Appointed Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry (France)
Appointed on 19 June 2007 as Finance Minister—the first woman to hold the finance portfolio in a G8 economy (served until 29 June 2011).
Arbitration award to Bernard Tapie (€403m)
An arbitration process resulted in a €403 million award to businessman Bernard Tapie (the award later annulled; central to later legal scrutiny of Lagarde).
Chaired ECOFIN during France's EU presidency
From July to December 2008 as France presided over the EU, Lagarde chaired the ECOFIN Council and helped shape responses to the global financial crisis.
Oversaw French response to 2008 financial crisis
As Finance Minister, she played a leading role in France's government response to the global financial crisis; Financial Times later ranked her top Eurozone finance minister during this period.
The 'Lagarde list' sent to Greek authorities
As Finance Minister, reportedly sent a list (1,991 names) of Greek HSBC account holders suspected of tax evasion to Greek authorities (reported in 2010).
Appeared in documentary 'Inside Job'
Interviewed for the documentary Inside Job (2010), which later won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature (2011).
Created G20 agenda during France's G20 presidency
As Chairman of the G20 when France took over the 2011 presidency, she set in motion work on reform of the international monetary system and global governance.
Announced candidacy for IMF Managing Director
Announced her candidacy to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn as Managing Director of the IMF upon his resignation.
Elected Managing Director of the IMF
IMF Executive Board elected Lagarde as Managing Director and Chairman for a five-year term (11th MD, first woman).
Assumed office as IMF Managing Director
Began her first five-year term as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
Legal probe into Tapie arbitration opened (CJR ordered investigation)
On 3 August 2011 (reported) the Cour de Justice de la République ordered an investigation into Lagarde's role in the Tapie arbitration that resulted in the €403m payout.
Controversial 'payback' remark on Greece
During interview comments that Greeks must 'payback' provoked strong reaction and social media backlash; she posted clarifying remarks on Facebook.
Named Officier of the Légion d'honneur
Awarded the insignia of Officer (Officier) of the French Légion d'honneur in April 2012 (had been Chevalier in 2000).
Lagarde list published by Greek magazine; journalist arrested
Greek journalist Kostas Vaxevanis published the 'Lagarde list' with more than 2,000 names in Hot Doc; he was arrested and later acquitted.
Paris apartment raided in Tapie probe
French police raided Lagarde's Paris apartment on 20 March 2013 as part of the ongoing Tapie arbitration investigation.
Assigned 'assisted witness' status in Tapie inquiry
After questioning at the Court of Justice of the Republic, Lagarde was assigned the status of 'assisted witness' (matière pénale) on 24 May 2013.
CJR approved formal negligence investigation
In August 2014 the Court (CJR) formally approved a negligence investigation into Lagarde's role in the Tapie arbitration.
Richard Dimbleby Lecture
Delivered the 2014 Richard Dimbleby Lecture titled 'A New Multilateralism for the 21st Century'.
IMF second-term selection announced
Michel Sapin said in December 2015 Lagarde could stay on as head of IMF despite criminal charges; later she was the only candidate and was selected by consensus for a second five-year term starting 5 July 2016.
Re-elected to second term as IMF Managing Director
Selected by consensus and reappointed to a second five-year term starting 5 July 2016; she was the only candidate nominated.
Convicted of negligence (Tapie case), no penalty imposed
In December 2016 a French court found Lagarde guilty of negligence in handling the Tapie arbitration but did not impose a fine or custodial penalty.
Published 'The Voice of Youth' (IMF Finance & Development)
Published pieces and speeches in IMF's Finance & Development, including 2017 contributions.
Featured on Forbes Most Powerful Women list (#3 in 2018)
Ranked #3 on Forbes' list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women in 2018 (multiple earlier listings as well).
Launched ECB strategic review and climate action initiative
One of her first moves at the ECB was to launch an overall strategic review and push for ECB engagement on climate change; led to green 'tilting' in corporate bond purchases.
Ex officio roles with EU and international bodies begin
As ECB President became ex officio Chair of the ESRB general board and ex officio member of the BIS Board of Directors (since 2019).
Received CARE Humanitarian Award and Atlantic Council Distinguished International Leadership Award
In 2019 Lagarde received multiple distinctions including CARE Humanitarian Award and Distinguished International Leadership Award from the Atlantic Council.
Joined World Economic Forum Board of Trustees
Appointed to the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum (WEF); she had previously been a member since 2011 in various capacities.
IMF approved $57bn loan to Argentina (largest in IMF history)
IMF granted Argentina a $57 billion loan in 2019 while Lagarde led the Fund; later criticized for size and assumptions.
Nominated as President of the European Central Bank
Nominated by the European Council on 2 July 2019 to succeed Mario Draghi as President of the ECB, effective 1 November 2019.
Resigned from IMF
Resigned as Managing Director of the IMF with effect from 12 September 2019 following her ECB nomination (IMF archive note dated 12 Sep 2019).
European Parliament recommended Lagarde for ECB presidency
European Parliament voted (secret ballot) on 17 Sep 2019 to recommend Lagarde for the ECB presidency (394 in favour, 206 opposed, 49 abstentions).
Assumed office as President of the European Central Bank
Assumed the ECB presidency on 1 November 2019, becoming the first woman to hold the post.
Ranked #2 on Forbes World's Most Powerful Women
Forbes ranked Christine Lagarde number two on its World's 100 Most Powerful Women list in 2019 and again in 2020.
Commander of the National Order of Merit (France)
Awarded Commander of the National Order of Merit in 2021 (longstanding list of French honours includes Chevalier 2000 and Officier 2012).
Forbes ranked #2 World's Most Powerful Women (2022)
Forbes continued to rank Lagarde at #2 on its World's Most Powerful Women list in 2022.
Forbes ranked #2 World's Most Powerful Women (2023)
Continued recognition by Forbes as the #2 most powerful woman in 2023.
Forbes ranked #2 World's Most Powerful Women (2024)
Ranked #2 again by Forbes in 2024.
ECB statement on EU fiscal governance; warns on budget deficits
In July 2024 Lagarde said implementing the EU's revised economic governance framework would help bring down deficits; identified several countries as 'high risk' in the medium term.
ECB cuts primary interest rate to 3.5%
In September 2024 Lagarde announced the ECB's primary interest rate would be cut to 3.5% amid weak eurozone growth and lower inflation.
Responded to Draghi report on EU competitiveness
On 12 September 2024 Lagarde said the ECB would not implement the Draghi report recommendations for member-state reforms, that structural reforms are governments' responsibility.
Britannica and other encyclopedias updated entries
Major reference works (e.g., Encyclopaedia Britannica) updated Lagarde's biography through 2024–25, reflecting her roles and awards.
Key Achievement Ages
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