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Her Story Made History: Vigdis Finnbogadottir

In 1980, Vigdis Finnbogadottir became the first female head of state of Iceland and remained in power for 16 years.

In 1980, the tiny country of Iceland did something no other nation had done. They elected a female head of state. ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet travels to Reykjavik to meet Vigdis Finnbogadottir. Now 87, she was president for exactly 16 years and remains the longest-serving elected female head of state of any country to date. "That’s what I have given to the girls of this country," she says: β€œIf she can, I can.”

(Photo: Vigdis Finnbogadottir)

Available now

27 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 21 Feb 2018 11:32GMT
  • Wed 21 Feb 2018 21:32GMT
  • Wed 21 Feb 2018 23:32GMT
  • Thu 22 Feb 2018 02:32GMT