Emília Kováčová
Emília Kováčová (8 February 1931 – 31 December 2020) was a Slovak economist and professor of employment and social development at the University of Economics in Bratislava. She served as the country's first First Lady of Slovakia from 1993 until 1998.[1][2]
Emília Kováčová | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Slovakia | |
| In role 2 March 1993 – 2 March 1998 | |
| President | Michal Kováč |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Irena Schusterová |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 February 1931 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | 31 December 2020 (aged 89) |
| Political party | HZD |
| Spouse | Michal Kováč (?–2016; his death) |
| Children | Juraj Michal |
| Profession | Academic Economist |
Kováčová's husband, Michal Kováč, became the first President of Slovakia upon the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Emília Kováčová, likewise, became the first First Lady in Slovakia's history.[1] Kováčová created and established the protocols for the new office of the First Lady.[1] She also oversaw the restoration of Grassalkovich Palace, the country's presidential palace, during the 1990s while continuing to live at the Kováčs private home.[1] She continued to teach economics during her tenure.[1] In a 1998 interview with The Washington Post, Kováčová noted that she admired then-U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton.[1]
Kováčová continued to teach at the University of Economics in Bratislava after leaving office in 1998.[1] She also focused on her foundation, established during her tenure as first lady, which worked to help the elderly and improve educational opportunities in Slovakia.[1]
References
- "The Passion of Medak Mladek". The Washington Post. 1998-02-02. Archived from the original on 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- Cuprik, Roman (2016-11-06). "Kováčova manželka neprestala dúfať vo vyšetrenie únosu. Vedľa prezidenta nemlčala". SME. Archived from the original on 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2017-11-20.