The first woman to serve as the Chancellor of a major European country was Angela Merkel, leading Germany from 2005 to 2021. Merkel's leadership marked a significant milestone in gender equality in politics, as she became a pivotal figure in European and global affairs. She focused on policies such as economic stability, climate change, and immigration reform while navigating multiple crises during her tenure. Merkel's pragmatic approach and formidable influence left a lasting impact on Germany and the European Union.