Born: 1948 (Naples)
Biography:
Paola Severino is an Italian lawyer, academic, and politician who made history by becoming the first woman appointed Minister of Justice in Italian history. She was born on October 22, 1948, in Naples. Severino pursued her higher education at La Sapienza University of Rome, where she studied law and graduated in 1971. However, her journey was not without challenges as she faced the loss of her right arm due to an illness, making her an amputee.
Her professional career began in 1972 when she became a researcher at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Council of Research), a position she held until 1975. She then transitioned to academia and served as an assistant professor at La Sapienza from 1975 to 1987. Later, Severino joined Perugia University and taught penal commercial law at the Faculty of Economics.
Severino’s career reached new heights when she was appointed vice president of the Superior Council of Military Magistracy in 1997, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Her tenure lasted until 2002, during which she collaborated closely with Giovanni Maria Flick, the former President of the Italian Constitutional Court. Throughout her career, Severino established herself as one of Italy’s top criminal lawyers, representing high-profile clients such as former Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Cesare Geronzi, and Francesco Caltagirone in the Cirio trial. Additionally, she provided legal counsel to the Italian energy giant Eni.
In 2003, Severino became the head of the law department at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, a position she held until 2006. She continued her academic pursuits and worked as a professor of penal law at the School for Carabinieri Officers and a Pro-Rector Vicar at LUISS Guido Carli University.
Severino’s remarkable career in law and academia led to her appointment as Minister of Justice on November 16, 2011, in the Monti cabinet. Her appointment as the first woman to hold this position in Italian history solidified her influence and contribution to society. However, it is worth noting that her tenure as minister was not without controversy. In 2011, Severino’s income exceeded seven million euros, making her the wealthiest minister in the Monti cabinet.
After serving as Minister of Justice, Severino’s professional journey took another turn as she assumed the role of rector of Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli on October 3, 2016. Her dedication to academia continued to shape the minds of future legal professionals.
Furthermore, Severino’s impact extended beyond Italian borders. From 2018 to 2020, she served as the Special Representative of the President-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the fight against corruption, a position established by the Italian Presidency of the organization in 2018.
Throughout her career, Paola Severino’s achievements and contributions have paved the way for women in the fields of law, academia, and politics. Her determination and resilience, demonstrated through her successful career despite personal challenges, serves as an inspiration to many.