Angela Merkel was the first female Chancellor of Germany, serving from 2005 to 2021. Her tenure marked a significant milestone in German politics, as she rose to become one of the world's most powerful women. Merkel, a trained physicist, began her political career after the fall of the Berlin Wall and was a prominent figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). During her chancellorship, she navigated various crises, including the Eurozone financial crisis and the migrant crisis, steering Germany toward a position of significant influence within the European Union. Merkel is often credited with fostering stability and pragmatic governance in Germany.