Curriculum vitae
- 1973 Completes secondary education (Abitur)
- 1973–1978 Student of physics in Leipzig
- 1978 First degree in physics (Diplom)
- 1978–1990 Research associate at the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences in Berlin
- 1986 Doctoral degree
- 1989 Member of Demokratischer Aufbruch (Democratic Awakening)
- 1990 Joins the CDU
- 1990 Deputy government spokeswoman of the GDR government under Lothar de Maizière
- 1990–2021: Member of the Bundestag
- 1991–1998 Deputy chairwoman of the CDU
- 1991–1994 Federal Minister for Women and Children
- 1992–1993 Chairwoman of the Evangelical Working Group of the CDU/CSU
- 1993–2000 Chairwoman of the CDU in the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
- 1994–1998 Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
- 1998–2000 General secretary of the CDU
- 2000–2018 Chairwoman of the CDU
- 2002–2005 Chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group
- 2005–2021 Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany