Alma Adamkienė

Alma Adamkienė
First Lady of Lithuania
In role
February 26, 1998 – February 26, 2003
President Valdas Adamkus
Preceded by Julija Brazauskienė
Succeeded by Laima Paksienė
In role
July 12, 2004 – July 12, 2009
President Valdas Adamkus
Preceded by Laima Paksienė
Succeeded by Vacant since 2009
Personal details
Born Alma Nutautaitė
(1928-02-10) February 10, 1928
Šiauliai, Lithuania
Nationality Lithuanian / American
Spouse(s) Valdas Adamkus (m. 1951)
Alma mater Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg
Profession Philology

Alma Adamkienė (née Nutautaitė; February 10, 1928)[1] is a Lithuanian-American philologist and philanthropist. She is the wife of the former President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, and was First Lady during his two terms (1998–2003 and 2004–2009). She also holds United States citizenship.

Early life

Adamkienė was born in Šiauliai. Her father, Stasys Nutautas, was a businessman; her mother, Ona Soblytė-Nutautienė, assisted her husband in various commercial activities. In 1944, when the Soviet Army returned to Lithuania, Alma Nutautaitė fled with her family to the West. She finished high school in Germany, and later studied Philology at Erlangen University in Nuremberg.[1]

Life in the United States

Alma Nutautaitė emigrated to the United States of America in 1949. She first worked as a laboratory assistant at a steel factory. Later, she took a position with an insurance company. She also organized and participated in Lithuanian émigré activities. Alma Nutautaitė married Valdas Adamkus in 1951, and took her husband's surname (she is known as Alma Adamkus in the United States).[2]

First Lady

During the presidential election held in Lithuania in 1997, Valdas Adamkus campaigned for the Presidency and won. After Adamkus became President, Adamkienė became involved in various Lithuanian social programs focusing on the welfare of children.[2] She opened a foundation, the Alma Adamkienė Charity and Support Fund, in 1999.

Honours

2006 : Dame Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Alma Adamkiene, The First Lady". Office of the President of Lithuania. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  2. 1 2 "Behind the scenes. The nation's First Lady plays a vital role in her husband's career". Office of the President of Lithuania. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  3. ↑ http://archyvas.lrp.lt/en/news.full/6486


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