First Lady of Cyprus

First Lady of Cyprus
Incumbent
Philippa Karsera
since February 23, 2023
ResidencePresidential Palace

First Lady of Cyprus refers to the wife of the president of Cyprus. The country's current first lady is Philippa Karsera, a career diplomat and wife of President Nikos Christodoulides, who has held the position since 2023.[1]

First ladies of Cyprus[edit]

Name Photograph Term Began Term Ended President of Cyprus Notes
Suheyla Kucuk August 16, 1960 July 15, 1974 Archbishop Makarios III Makarios III, a clergyman and politician, was unmarried.[2]
Vera Sampson
(de facto)
July 15, 1974 July 23, 1974 Nikos Sampson
(de facto)
Sampson was installed following the 1974 Cypriot coup d'état against Makarios
Lila Irene Clerides
(acting)
July 23, 1974 December 7, 1974 Glafcos Clerides
Position vacant December 7, 1974 August 3, 1977 Archbishop Makarios III Makarios III was unmarried.[2]
Mimi Kyprianou August 3, 1977 February 28, 1988 Spyros Kyprianou [3]
Androulla Vassiliou February 28, 1988 February 28, 1993 George Vassiliou Vassiliou later served as the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (2008–2010) and European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth (2010–2014).
Lila Irene Clerides February 28, 1993 February 28, 2003 Glafcos Clerides Clerides was born Lila Erulkar in India.[4][5]
Fotini Papadopoulos February 28, 2003 February 28, 2008 Tassos Papadopoulos
Elsie Chiratou February 28, 2008 February 28, 2013 Demetris Christofias
Andri Moustakoudes February 28, 2013 February 23, 2023 Nicos Anastasiades
Philippa Karsera February 23, 2023 Present Nikos Christodoulides Karsera is a career Cypriot diplomat.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Philippa Karsera: The career diplomat who is Cyprus' new First Lady". In-Cyprus. 2023-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  2. ^ a b Fitchett, Joseph (1977-08-04). "Makarios: Cypriot Nationalism Incarnate". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
  3. ^ Lewis, Paul (2002-03-14). "Spyros Kyprianou, 69, Former President of Cyprus, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  4. ^ "Indian born wife of former Cypriot president dies". Reuters News. 2007-07-12. Archived from the original on 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  5. ^ "'A most devoted couple'". Cyprus Mail. 2013-11-17. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2019-06-28.