Colette Flesch

Colette Marie Alice Madeleine Flesch (16 April 1937 – 21 January 2026) was a Luxembourgish politician and fencer who most notably served as Mayor of Luxembourg City from 1969 to 1980 and as Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1980 to 1984, becoming the first woman to hold either position.

Early life Colette Marie Alice Madeleine Flesch was born on 16 April 1937 in Dudelange to Robert Flesch (1882–1940), a metallurgy engineer at ARBED, and Madeleine Alexandre. Her paternal grandfather was (1844-1921), who served as a liberal member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1912 to 1918.

She gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Wellesley College in 1960, then earned an M.A. in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, before studying at The Hague Academy of International Law.

Olympic career As a fencer she participated in the Individual foil events at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics.

Political career Flesch worked for the European Economic Community in Brussels, specialising in the agricultural side of the Common Market for five years. Besides her work in the Chamber of Deputies (1969–1980, 1984–1989, and 2004–1009), she was also a member of the European Parliament from 1969 to 1980, 1984 to 1985, 1989 to 1990, and 1999 to 2004.

In 1976, she became the general secretary of the Democratic Party, and was its president from 1981 to 1989.

From 1980 to 1984 she was a member of Pierre Werner's government, as deputy prime minister, foreign minister, and minister for foreign trade, cooperation, the economy, small and medium enterprises and justice.

From 1990 to 1999, she was the European Commission's director-general for culture, communication and sports, and later for translation.

From 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1999, she was a city councillor for Luxembourg City, and was later an alderman.

She was also the president of the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR).

Death Flesch died on 21 January 2026, at the age of 88.