Petra De Sutter

Petra De Sutter's career is marked by a series of historic firsts. She became Europe's first openly transgender deputy prime minister in 2020, a milestone that resonated far beyond Belgium. Her election as rector of Ghent University with 71% of the vote in 2025 was a decisive mandate, making her the first transgender person to hold such a position at a major European university. Her medical contributions, including over 200 peer-reviewed papers and pioneering work in reproductive medicine, have earned her international respect. These achievements reflect a career of substance and principle.