first lady of finance

Christine Lagarde was the center of media attention in Paris on Tuesday after she became the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund.

After a month long race, Lagarde defeated Augustin Carstens, head of Mexico's Central Bank.  Born in Paris, 55 year old Lagarde will hold one of the world's most powerful position. 

With more than 20 years of experience working as a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie, a leading US law firm, it will be easy for her and Americans, (who have the biggest voting quota at the IMF), to relate to each other.

Christine Madeleine Odette Lallouette was born into a family of academics. Her father Robert Lallouette was a Professor of English at the Faculty of Rouen; her mother Nicole worked as a teacher. After graduation in 1974 at the Lycée François, she attended  Holton-Arms School, a girls' school in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Then graduated from law school at University Paris X, France, and obtained a Master's Degree in political science from the Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence (Sciences Po Aix). Since 2010, she has presided over the Institute's board of directors.

Lagarde begins her five-year-term on July 5.