I don’t know if you’ve noticed but the current breed of international political figures seem to get younger and better looking. Every time I watch world news, I’m always fascinated by these men and women who do not only spell power but also exude images of youth and beauty.
My memory might be subjective but as far as I can remember, our very own Ferdinand Marcos is the only suave-looking President I’ve seen on Tv back when I was a kid. Most, if not all, were aging, bald, pot-bellied or simply boring. That’s why I thought the world of politics is no place for the finer looking species.
But times have certainly changed. Today, men and women who were graciously favored by Mother Nature are changing the landscape of the political arena. They are not just faces that could have easily become movie stars. But most importantly, they have broken the invisible barrier that excludes young blood from mainstream politics.
Here’s ten of the most fascinating young achievers in the international political scene:
My memory might be subjective but as far as I can remember, our very own Ferdinand Marcos is the only suave-looking President I’ve seen on Tv back when I was a kid. Most, if not all, were aging, bald, pot-bellied or simply boring. That’s why I thought the world of politics is no place for the finer looking species.
But times have certainly changed. Today, men and women who were graciously favored by Mother Nature are changing the landscape of the political arena. They are not just faces that could have easily become movie stars. But most importantly, they have broken the invisible barrier that excludes young blood from mainstream politics.
Here’s ten of the most fascinating young achievers in the international political scene:
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Finland’s Prime Minister Mari Johanna Kiviniemi (born 27.09.68), is only 42 and the youngest female leader in this list. While millions of women her age are worrying about their weight or their nth pregnancy, this young lady was busy working her way up the ladder of success. Wiki says she was raised in a rural area of Finland and her parents were chicken farmers. A true picture of success.
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Dimissed Ukrainian Prime Minister (removed from power only last March), Yulia Tymoshenko (born 27.11.60) is 50 but wore her crown-braided hair like a prima ballerina. With dainty looks and demeanor, you’d never believe she’s battling it out with the machos in the Ukrainian political arena.
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Incumbent Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (born 18.04.70), at 40 is the youngest in this list. Aside from his political power, he is also a regular name in Forbes’ billionaires list. Talk about good looks, power and wealth. He’s got it all!
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Argentina’s current President, 57 yo Cristina Elizabet Kirchner (born 19.02.53) has the glamour of a beauty queen. She is Argetina’s second female president but the first one elected to power. (Isabel Martinez de Peron, Juan Peron’s 3rd wife after Eva was the first but she only ascended to power after Juan Peron died while in office).
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Georgia’s President, 43 yo Mikheil Saakashvili (born 21.12.67), looks like a guy straight from the pages of GQ. Always impeccably garbed in his power suit, this guy speaks English with only the slightest hint of Eastern European accent. He assumed power in 2004 after toppling Shevardnadze via his Rose Revolution.
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44 yo David Cameron (born 09.10.66), UK’s Prime Minister has the looks that could qualify for a boy band. He actually took power when he was 43 giving him the honor of being the youngest PM in the history of modern-day UK.
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Speaking of records, Abhisit Vejjajiva, at 44 (born 03.08.64), became Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister in 2008. This Eton and Oxford educated gentleman stood challenges to his powers earlier this year when opposition staged a Red revolution that disrupted much of businesses in Bangkok. But this gentleman proved he can also be tough beneath that cool exterior.
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Costa Rica’s first female President, Laura Chinchilla Miranda (born 28.03.59) is 51, vibrant and quite a looker. Probably one of the more progressive minds in the political world, she supports same-sex marriage. Quite controversial view from a leader of a country of devout Roman Catholics.
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Australia’s newly elected PM Julia Gillard is only 49 (born 29.09.61), red-haired and looks just like a super model. But this hard line politician became Australia’s first female PM after challenging the leadership of then PM Kevin Rudd who lost support from his party.
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And last but not least, US’ President Barrack Obama (born 04.08.61), at 49, certainly has the boyish charm that most Americans found endearing. That charm enhanced the astute political depth he possesses and gave him the honor of being the first black president of the most powerful country in the world.
So that’s my 10. But wait, let me mention a couple of runners-up if you dont mind:
Sarah Palin will make another beautiful President if ever. With 3 years to go on Barrack’s term, she can be in it at 49 yo. I just don’t know how she can pole vault her way to the White House.
Edward Miliband, the new Labour Party president in UK is also eyeing the PM post a few years from now. He’s only 41 and if the stars are on his side, he can also join the exclusive circle of world leaders in their 40’s.
There you go. Just a few names and faces that I’ve come across whenever I’m watching BBC, Jazeera and EuroNews. But a very good sample base of what I was saying a little earlier on.
Youth, beauty and power. A very strong combination that not many people are blessed with. These are the faces of interesting people who now inhabit the corridors of power. These are the names making the international political scene more interesting than ever. A very good batch of individuals that young people can use as their role models.
(note: infos as researched via Wikipedia)
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