Anna Benaki-Psarouda, the first woman to preside over the Hellenic Parliament and the first woman to lead the Academy of Athens, died Feb. 15, 2026. She was 91. A prominent figure in the New Democracy party, Benaki-Psarouda transitioned from a career in legal academia to the highest levels of Greek governance during a period of significant constitutional change.
Born in Athens, she specialized in criminal law and earned a doctorate from the University of Bonn before joining the Athens Bar Association. She utilized her legal expertise as a university professor and later as a parliamentary rapporteur, where she argued against constitutional amendments during the political tensions of the mid-1980s. This background in jurisprudence defined her approach to her roles as a politician and legislator.
Her political rise included tenures as Minister of Culture (1990) and Minister of Justice (1992). In 2004, she achieved a historic milestone when she was elected Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, serving in that capacity until 2007. Throughout these years, she represented the New Democracy party and helped navigate the legislative complexities of the Third Hellenic Republic.
In 2010, she joined the Academy of Athens and later served as its president starting in 2020. She continued her work with the Academy's legal and cultural initiatives until her death, contributing to academic discourse well into her 90s. According to local news reports, her tenure at the Academy marked the first time a woman led the prestigious institution.