Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a prominent Danish politician who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 2011 to 2015, becoming the first female Prime Minister of Denmark on October 3, 2011. She led the Social Democrats in a center-left coalition government, having become party leader in 2005, succeeding Mogens Lykketoft. Born on December 14, 1966, in Fjends, Denmark, she grew up in Ishøj and studied political science before entering politics. Prior to her premiership, she served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2005. Her tenure focused on social welfare, economic reforms, international relations, and addressing challenges such as the European debt crisis and immigration policies. Her government implemented budget balancing measures and promoted green energy, though it faced criticism for austerity measures. After losing the 2015 election to the center-right bloc led by the Venstre party, she resigned as Prime Minister and party leader, stepping down from politics entirely in April 2016. Post-politics, she served as Chief Executive of Save the Children International from June 2016 to June 2019 and has since engaged in advisory roles on global health and development issues. Married to British politician Stephen Kinnock since 1996, she has two daughters and has been noted for her advocacy of work-life balance as a working mother in politics.