Simone Veil
A Holocaust survivor, feminist icon and campaigner against anti-Semitism, Simone Veil (1927-2017) was a French politician of Jewish descent. She spent her life fighting for women’s rights. In 1974, as Minister of Health, she managed to push through the ‘Veil Law’, legalising abortion. Her concentration camp experience turned her into a passionate advocate of European unification. She was the first woman elected the President of the European Parliament in 1979.
Emmanuel Macron
The eighth President of the Fifth Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron led the newly established political movement, ‘En Marche!’ to victory in the 2017 presidential elections. A former student of philosophy, passionate about literature and culture, graduated from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in 2004. Macron has made the creation of a ‘clear, ambitious’ roadmap for the future of Europe a cornerstone of his presidency. He received the Charlemagne Prize in recognition of his vision of a new Europe in May 2018.
Albert Einstein
An all-time great scientist with the wit to match, German theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) developed elemental theories – Special and General Relativity – that transformed views on the nature of space-time. Over 100 years later, the gravitational waves caused by the collision of two neutron stars reached Earth and confirmed his predictions.
Leonardo da Vinci
Often described as the greatest mind the world has produced, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian Renaissance painter, scientist and inventor. His achievements laid the ground for the development of innovations seen by his contemporaries as impossible, such as mechanical engines, cranes, parachutes, helicopters, and bicycles.
Victor Hugo
Despite living in a nationalistic epoch, French poet, novelist, and dramatist Victor Hugo (1802-85) promoted the theory of the ‘United States of Europe’ in his writings. Some ideas from his political speeches materialised in the 20th century, such as monetary union or the disappearance of national borders within the Schengen area. A supporter of republicanism, he believed in the freedom of art and society.
Angela Merkel
Any Germans born in 2005 will have known only one Chancellor - Angela Merkel (born 1954). The Christian Democrat and former chemistry scientist was raised behind the Berlin Wall in East Germany. As Europe’s longest serving leader, she has taken a leading role in addressing its current challenges. She was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in 2008 for her work to unite Europe. She is affectionately known as 'Mutti’.
ABBA
Formed in Stockholm in 1972, ABBA have sold millions of disco records worldwide. The synth-heavy four-piece won Eurovision in 1974 with their song Waterloo. Named after the two singer/composer couples - Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid - the pop maximalists dominated the charts in the 1970s and 80s, and provided the inspiration for the Mamma Mia! musical and subsequent film.