Anna Benaki-Psarouda, first woman Speaker of Greek Parliament, dies at 91

Anna Benaki-Psarouda, Greece’s first female Parliament Speaker and a pioneering figure in Greek politics and academia, has died at the age of 91, her family announced Sunday. The distinguished law professor and longtime parliamentarian broke multiple barriers during her decades-long career in public service and education.

Benaki-Psarouda served as an MP with the conservative New Democracy party from 1981 to 2009 and made history when she was elected Parliament Speaker from 2004 to 2007. Her political career also included several Cabinet positions, including Alternate Education Minister, Alternate Minister of Culture, Minister of Culture, and Minister of Justice between 1989 and 1993.

Groundbreaking Political and Academic Career

The first female Parliament Speaker of Greece left an indelible mark on the country’s legislative landscape through her active involvement in constitutional reforms. According to reports, she opposed the 1986 constitutional revision initiated by the socialist government but later collaborated with socialists on the 2001 constitutional amendments, demonstrating her pragmatic approach to governance.

Beyond her political achievements, Benaki-Psarouda continued to shatter glass ceilings in academia. In 2010, she was elected to the prestigious Academy of Athens, and in 2019 and 2020, she became the first woman to serve as vice-president of the institution, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer for women in Greek academia.

Influential Legal Scholar and Mentor

However, those closest to her work suggest that Benaki-Psarouda’s most influential role was as an educator and mentor at Athens Law School. She taught criminal law from 1962 to 2001, becoming a full professor in 1986 and inspiring generations of students, particularly young women entering the legal profession.

Additionally, she maintained a distinguished career as a practicing lawyer while serving as longtime editor-in-chief of the law journal “Poinika Chronika” (Criminal Law Annals). This dual commitment to legal practice and scholarship exemplified her dedication to advancing criminal law in Greece.

Early Life and Education of Greece’s First Female Parliament Speaker

Born in Athens on December 12, 1934, Anna Psarouda was the daughter of a naval officer. After completing her undergraduate legal studies in Greece, she pursued advanced education in Germany, obtaining a doctorate in criminal law from the University of Bonn in 1961.

Meanwhile, her international academic credentials positioned her as one of Greece’s leading experts in criminal law. Her German education influenced her scholarly approach and contributed to her reputation as a rigorous legal thinker throughout her career.

Personal Life and Legacy

She was married to Linos Benakis, a prominent historian of philosophy who died in 2022. The couple represented a powerful intellectual partnership that contributed significantly to Greek academic life for decades.

In contrast to many politicians who focus solely on legislative work, Benaki-Psarouda maintained her commitment to teaching and legal scholarship throughout her parliamentary tenure. This dual dedication to public service and education created a unique legacy that influenced both Greece’s political institutions and its legal education system.

Funeral arrangements and official tributes from the Greek government have not yet been announced, according to available reports. As Greece mourns the loss of this pioneering political and academic figure, her contributions to advancing women’s participation in politics and legal education will continue to resonate for future generations.