Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Heads of State of omania/ Republica România (Female Suffrage Local 1929 and Universal 1946) 1878 Independent form Turkish Rule, Kingdom till 1947, Socialist Republic 1947-89

Also see Romania Ministers

1559-68 Regent Doamna Chiajna of Wallachia

After the death of her husband, Mircea Ciobanul, who was Voivode of Wallachia in 1545-1552, 1553-1554 and in 1558-1559, she was regent for her son, Petru cel Tînăr (Peter the Young). She was daughter of Petru Rareş, ruler of Moldova.

1629-30 Princess Regnant Katarina von Brandenburg of Transylvania
After husband’s death. She was succeeded by brother-in-law Istvan Bethlen, who died 1630. she lived (1602-44)

1744-65 Princess Maria-Theresia of Austria-Hungary of Transylvania
1765-80 Grand Duchess of Sibenbürgen
The Principality of Transylvania was changed to a Grand Duchy in 1765. More details in Austria_Heads.

1914-29 Politically influential Queen Marie of Edingburgh of Romania
At the age of 16 she married Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania. The country's political dilemma between 1914 and 1916 in entering the war on the side of the Allies, caused it to sit on the fence as a neutral country for two good years. After the war she travelled to Paris, during the Conference and took residence, with her two beautiful daughters in the Hotel Crillon, in Place de la Concorde. Marie's crucial role on behalf of Romania had met with extreme if opposing assessments in a historical analysis context: she may have been either romaticised and even sometimes belittled. Yet it is clear that confronted with persistent and even justified criticism of Romania's treatment of minorities, Romania's chief negotiator, Prime Minister Bratianu, soon found himself losing ground, as well as his temper, when faced with the patronizing attitudes of the Supreme Council. At Bratianu's call for help, the King approached Marie to undertake an unofficial mission to Paris and London. Although Romania, like most European nations had little place for women in politics, Marie, had a firm if unofficial role as adviser to her husband, king Ferdinand until his death in 1927. Once her volatile but willful son, Carol II inherited the throne, he isolated Queen Marie, who took little part in the public life from 1927 to her death. She was the daughter the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria's second son and her mother was a Russian Grand Duchess. She lived (1875-1938).


1927-30 Guardian Queen-Mother Helena of Greece and Denmark of Romania
1940-47 Politically Influential
After her ex-husband, King Carol, had abdicated, her brother-in-law Prince Nicolaus became regent for her minor son, King Michael, and she was given the title of Queen Mother. In 1930-40 Carol was king again, until Michael was reinstated as king, and she was his chief advisor until he was forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947.


1930-40 Politically Influential Elena Lupescu in Romania
She dominated her weak lover, Carol II, who returned from exile, and pushed his son with his ex-wife, Princess and Queen Mother Maria aside. She was very conservative and anti-progressive, and in 1940 Carol was forced to abdicate, in favour of his son, ex-king Michael. The couple got married in 1947, and he died 6 years later. She was created Princess von Hohenzollern, and lived (1902-77).

1961-66 Vice-President of the State Council Maria Paretti

1966-70 Vice-President of the State Council Constanţa Craciun
In 1953-62 Chairperson of the State-Committee for Culture and Art 1962-66 Minister of Culture

1969-75 Member of the Council of State Susana Gadea

1975-89 Member of the Council of State Tamara Dobrin

1980-85 Vice-President of the Council of State Maria Ciocan
1985-89 Member of the Council of State

1980-82 Member of the Council of State Alexandrina Gainuse

1983-89 Member of the Council of State Virginia Gemenscu

1984-87 Member of the Council of State Ioanna Bratu

1984-87 Member of the Council of State Sefania Ionescu

1984-87 Member of the Council of State Ioanna Lancranja

1984-87 Member of the Council of State Elena Vladuc

1986-89 Vice-President of the Council of State Maria Ghitulicâ
Between 1979-82 Deputy Chairperson of the District Council of Olt, 1980-82 Secretary and 1982-85, 1988-89 Vice-President of the Grand National Assembly.

1986-89 Member of the Council of State Cameluta Beldine

1986-89 Member of the Council of State Diamanta Lodidoniu

1986-89 Member of the Council of State Diona Vasilescu

1989 Joint Acting Head of State Doina Cornea (22.12-26.12.1989)
As Member of the Council of the National Salvation Front, wich became the collective Head of State when the office of President became vacant when Ceausescu was executed. She was one of the Leaders of the Civic Alliance. (b. 1929).

1989 Joint Acting Head of State Ana Blandiana (22.12-26.12.1989)
From 1990 Leader Alianta Civica. (b. 1942).

1989 Joint Acting Head of State Cristina Ciontu (22.12-26.12.1989)
She was government spokesperson 1989-90.

1989 Joint Acting Head of State Eugenia Iorga (22.12-26.12.1989)
The spokesperson of the Council was Ion Iliescu who later became President.

1989 Joint Acting Head of State Magdalena Ionescu (22.12-26.12.1989)
There were a total of 38 Members of the Council of the National Salvation Front.

 

2008-12 Second Deputy Head of State, President of the Chamber of Deputies Roberta Anastase
MP for the Democratic Party 2004-07 and from 2008 and Secretary of the Parliamentary Group 2004-05, Observer to European Parliament 2005-06 and elected member in 2007. (b. 1976-).