Maria Leonor Beleza

President of the Champalimaud Foundation

Leonor Beleza is a graduate of the University of Lisbon Law School, where she has also worked as an Assistant Professor. During a distinguished professional career she has held a number of high-profile public offices. Among other positions, she was Secretary of State of the Presidency of the Cabinet (1982-83), Secretary of State for Social Security (1983-85), and Minister of Health (1985-1990) in the Portuguese Government. She has been elected as a Member of Parliament on several occasions and on two occasions she has served as Vice-President of the Parliament (1991-94, 2002-2005). In addition to her prominent role in public affairs Dr Beleza has also played an active role in the private sector.

Leonor Beleza is currently the Chairman of the Portuguese League for People with Physical Disabilities, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the D. Pedro IV Foundation, and a member of the General Councils of the CEBI Foundation and of the Gil Foundation. She is also a vigorous campaigner for women’s rights, a cause she has supported for many years.  In 2004, Leonor Beleza was appointed Chairman of the Champalimaud Foundation by the will of Mr António Champalimaud.

Leonor Beleza (right) with James Watson, Head of the Champalimaud Scientific Committee