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Her Story Made History: Vigdis Finnbogadottir

The DocumentaryHer Story Made History

In 1980, Vigdis Finnbogadottir became the first female head of state of Iceland and remained in power for 16 years.

In 1980, the tiny country of Iceland did something no other nation had done. They elected a female head of state. BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet travels to Reykjavik to meet Vigdis Finnbogadottir. Now 87, she was president for exactly 16 years and remains the longest-serving elected female head of state of any country to date. "That’s what I have given to the girls of this country," she says: “If she can, I can.”

(Photo: Vigdis Finnbogadottir)

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27 minutes

Last on

Thu 22 Feb 201802:32GMT
BBC World Service except News Internet

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 21 Feb 201811:32GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Wed 21 Feb 201821:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Wed 21 Feb 201823:32GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia, Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Thu 22 Feb 201802:32GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet