Bjerregaard, Ritt (1941–)

views updated

Bjerregaard, Ritt (1941–)

Danish politician. Born May 19, 1941, in Copenhagen, Denmark; dau. of Gudmund (cabinetmaker) and Rita Bjerregaard; attended Odense University, 1968–70.

Social Democrat, was a member of the Folketing for Funen Co. constituency (1971–1995) and for Roskilde Co. constituency (2001); served as minister for Education (1973–75, 1975–78), minister of Social Affairs (1981), and minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (2000–2001); was commissioner of the European commission (1995–99); writings include Strid (Struggle, 1979), Til venner og fjender (To Friends and Enemies, 1982), Heltindehistorier (Stories of Heroines, 1983), and I opposition (In Opposition, 1987).