Economist, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, former federal minister
Born on 7 July 1950 in Straubing (Lower Bavaria); Roman Catholic; married, two children.
Obtained Abitur (higher education entrance qualification) in 1969. Studied economics in Munich and Regensburg, graduating in 1975.
From 1975 to 1987 employed by the Federal Institute for Employment. Latterly head of the vocational counselling department at Deggendorf employment office.
Member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) since 1969; held various executive positions within the Young Union (youth section of the CDU/CSU), the Women’s Union and the CSU; chairwoman of the Fürstenfeldbruck county branch of the CSU from 1995 to 2005. County councillor from 1996 to 2004.
Member of the German Bundestag since 24 March 1987; Federal Minister for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development from 21 April 1989 to 18 January 1991, Federal Minister of Health from 18 January 1991 to 5 May 1992; finance-policy spokeswoman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 1995 to 2002; deputy chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 2002 to 2005; Vice-President of the German Bundestag since 18 October 2005.