María Eugenia Vidal is an Argentine politician and political scientist, currently serving as Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires. Born in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores on September 8, 1973, María Eugenia Vidal holds a degree in Political Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, with a specialization in International Relations.
In 2000, she worked as Director of Social Development at the Sophia Group Foundation, a think tank focused on public policy analysis and design, founded by Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. She also held roles in governmental organizations such as Anses and PAMI.
María Eugenia Vidal was elected legislator of Buenos Aires. She chaired the Committee on Women, Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth in the Buenos Aires City Legislature and was later appointed Minister of Social Development for the Buenos Aires City Government.
Her tenure included the opening of around twenty Early Childhood Centers, nine Comprehensive Women’s Centers, a Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking, and two Assistance Centers for addiction prevention and treatment.
In 2011, Mauricio Macri appointed her Deputy Mayor of Buenos Aires City. That same year, she was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders.
In 2015, María Eugenia Vidal was elected Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, becoming the first woman to hold that office. It was also the first time in 28 years that the province was governed by someone outside the Peronist party.
The guiding principles of María Eugenia Vidal
Social work is one of María Eugenia Vidal’s main concerns. She also supports educational reform in Argentina as a priority, along with expanding the presence of the state in the most vulnerable areas of society.
Private life
María Eugenia Vidal married Ramiro Tagliaferro, current mayor of the municipality of Morón, in 1998. They separated in 2016 and have three children: Camila, María José, and Pedro.