José Manuel Barroso

About

After serving a two-year term as Prime Minister of Portugal, this Social Democratic Party politician took office as President of the European Commission, a position he held from 2004 until 2014.

Before Fame

After earning a law degree from the University of Lisbon and a master's degree in social sciences and economics from the University of Geneva, he attended Georgetown University's Leadership Seminar and directed the International Relations Department at Lusiada University in Lisbon.

Trivia

During his teenage years and early twenties, he was active in a socialist political group called the Revolutionary Movement of the Portuguese Proletariat.

Family Life

His marriage to Maria Sousa Uva resulted in children named Luis, Guilherme, and Francisco.

Associated With

When he prematurely finished his term as Prime Minister in order to serve as President of the European Commission, Barroso worked with President Jorge Sampaio to bring about the nomination of Pedro Santana Lopes to the office of Prime Minister.