The first lady of Albania (Albanian: Zonja e Parë) is the unofficial title of the wife or designee of the sitting President of Albania. The current First Lady is Armanda Ymeri, wife of President Bajram Begaj, who has held the role since July 2022.
| First Lady of Albania | |
|---|---|
| Zonja e Parë e Shqipërisë | |
Incumbent since 24 July 2022Armanda Begaj | |
| Residence | Presidential Palace of Tirana |
| Inaugural holder | Liri Berisha (de facto) |
| Formation | 30 April 1991 |
| Website | First Lady of Albania |
Role of the first lady
editThe first lady is not an elected position, carries no official duties, and brings no salary. Nonetheless, she participates in humanitarian and charitable work in conjunction with the office of the presidency. Albanian first ladies have taken an active role in campaigning for the president with whom they are associated. She accompanies the President in state and official protocol visits abroad.
First ladies of Albania (1925–1928, 1945–1991 & 1991–present)
edit| No. | Birthname | Term Begins | Term Ends | President of Albania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Albanian Republic (1925–1928)
| ||||
| 1st | Geraldine Apponyi[a] | 1 February 1925 | 1 September 1928 | Ahmet Zogu |
 People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1946–1991)
| ||||
| 2nd | Nexhmije Hoxha[b] | 23 October 1944 | 11 April 1985 | Enver Hoxha |
 Republic of Albania (1991–present)
| ||||
| 3rd | Semiramis Xhuvani[c] | 30 April 1991 | 3 April 1992 | Ramiz Alia |
| 4th | Lirie Ramaj | 9 April 1992 | 24 July 1997 | Sali Berisha |
| 5th | Lidra Karagjozi | 24 July 1997 | 24 July 2002 | Rexhep Meidani |
| 6th | Milica Niça[d] | 24 July 2002 | 24 July 2007 | Alfred Moisiu |
| 7th | Teuta Mema | 24 July 2007 | 24 July 2012 | Bamir Topi |
| 8th | Odeta Kosova | 24 July 2012 | 24 July 2017 | Bujar Nishani |
| 9th | Monika Kryemadhi[e] | 24 July 2017 | 24 July 2022 | Ilir Meta |
| 10th | Armanda Ymeri | 24 July 2022 | Incumbent | Bajram Begaj |
Notes
edit- ^ Geraldine Apponyi married Ahmet Zogu a decade later.
- ^ As the spouse of the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania
- ^ Semiramis Xhuvani, the daughter of prominent scholar Aleksandër Xhuvani died before her husband took office of the presidency.
- ^ Milica Niça was deceased when Alfred Moisiu became President of the Republic, his youngest daughter Mirela Moisiu carried the First Lady duties.
- ^ Monika Kryemadhi, as a Member of Parliament and the leader of the second largest opposition party LSI, refused to take on the duties of the First Lady therefore the couple's eldest child and daughter Bora Meta carried on as First Lady.
External links
edit- Kush janë gratë e presidentëve të Shqipërisë dhe kush mbetën të ve. Rrëfimet e grave dhe fotot, NOA, 2012-06-17(in Albanian)
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