was today named the head of Iceland's new left-wing coalition government, becoming the country's first woman prime minister and the world's first openly gay head of government in modern times. The 66-year-old Sigurdardottir, one of Iceland's most experienced politicians, served as minister of social affairs in the outgoing government and is known as a champion of social causes, earning her the nickname Saint Johanna among her peers and the public.
While she has never hidden her sexuality, she is very private about her personal life and has never discussed it in public. Many Icelanders only learned of her homosexuality when her name emerged as the possible future premier. She married her companion, Jonina Ledsdottir, a 54-year-old writer, in 2002.
Sporting a fringed silver bob and slender figure, Sigurdardottir cuts a stylish figure. Her first job was as a flight attendant, from 1962 to 1971, before she stepped into the political fray and became a member of parliament in 1978. She became social affairs minister in July 1987, a post she held until June 1994.
She resumed the position again after the last general election in May 2007, and held it until the government resigned on January 26. She served as a member of the board of the Commercial Workers Union from 1976 until 1983, and was vice chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1984 until 1993. In 1994 she failed in her bid for the party leadership, saying at the time, "My time will come."
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