born on 21 February 1953 in Frankfurt/Main

law studies at the University of Marburg, first state examination in 1977

clerked at the appellate court of Berlin (Kammergericht), second state examination in 1979

1979 until 1989 practicing initially as lawyer, later employed as legal advisor in the chancellery of the Governing Mayor of Berlin

1985 until 1989 Member of the Bezirksverordnetenversammlung (local Parliament) Berlin-Spandau

since 1989 Member of the European Parliament

1989 - 2004 PES Group spokeswoman for the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection

In 1997 chair of the temporary committee instructed to monitor the action taken on the recommendations made concerning BSE

2004-2007 an 2009 - 2012 Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Conciliation procedures, staff matters and Communication Policy

2007 - 2009 Chairwoman of the European Parliaments Working Party on Parliamentary Reform

Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Substitute Member of the Committee on Legal affairs

Member of the Delegation for relations with Chile and the Delegation for relations with Latin America.

April 2012