Minister for Family and Integration
Minister for Equal Opportunities

Marie-Josée Jacobs was born on 22 January 1950 in Marnach, in the north of Luxembourg. After completing her secondary school at the private school Saint-Anne in Ettelbruck, she attended nursing-school. She obtained her diploma in nursing in 1969 and one in nursing-anaesthesiology in 1973. Marie-Josée Jacobs worked in this field until her nomination to the post of minister.

While practising her profession, Marie-Josée Jacobs started a political and union career. She is a member of the Christian trade union LCGB. She was president of the Private Employee's Section from 1980 to 1992 and vice-president of the union from 1981 to 1992.

Marie-Josée Jacobs began her political career in 1967 as a member of the Christian Social Party (Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei / CSV). From the start she was part of the committee of the northern region. She was elected President of the Christian Social Women and then President of the CSV of the same region. Finally, she was elected Vice-President of her party at the national level. In 1984, Marie-Josée Jacobs was first elected Deputy in the Northern district constituency. She was re-elected in 1989 and in 1994. In 1987, she became municipal councillor of Luxembourg City.

On 9 December 1992, Marie-Josée Jacobs was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, as well as Minister Delegate for Culture. This position allowed her to participate actively in the organisation of Luxembourg, European Year of Culture in 1995.

Re-elected in the legislative elections of 12 June 1994, Marie-Josée Jacobs was entrusted with the same ministerial portfolio in the Government formed by Prime Minister Jacques Santer.

After the appointment of Jacques Santer to the post of President of the European Commission, Marie-Josée Jacobs was appointed Minister for Family, Minister for the Advancement of Women, Minister for the Handicapped and Disabled on 26 January 1995.

Candidate for her party in the legislative elections of 13 June 1999, she was re-elected Deputy in the Northern district constituency on the list of the Christian Social Party. In the Cabinet 1999-2004, under Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Marie-Josée Jacobs was appointed Minister for Family, Social Solidarity and Youth and Minister for the Advancement of Women.

After the legislative elections of 13 June 2004 Marie-Josée Jacobs was appointed Minister for Family and Integration, Minister for Equal Opportunities.