On June 2nd, Mexicans will vote for their next president. It seems that, for the first time in Mexico’s 200-year history as a Republic, the country will be led by a woman. Claudia Sheinbaum, along with Xóchitl Gálvez, is one of the main candidates to become the first female president of Mexico. Both candidates have introduced gender language into the current Mexican presidential race.

These two candidates have very different political ideologies. Claudia Sheinbaum, representing the Morena political party, is well-known for her unwavering support of the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), and has consistently advocated for his political agenda throughout her career.

Biography of Claudia Sheinbaum

She was born on June 24th, 1962, in Mexico City. She comes from a family of Jewish descent, with grandparents who migrated from Lithuania and Bulgaria. She is the daughter of Carlos Sheinbaum Yoselevitz, a chemist, and Annie Pardo Cemo, a biologist, both of whom were active in the student movement of 1968. This social and political commitment has been a constant throughout her life.

From a young age, Sheinbaum showed a strong academic interest, particularly in the sciences. She graduated as a physicist from UNAM, where she also completed a master’s and a doctorate in Energy Engineering. Her doctoral thesis focused on the thermodynamic study of wood-burning stoves for rural communities, demonstrating her early commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Political Career

Claudia Sheinbaum began her political career in 2000 as Minister of the Environment for Mexico City under the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Her political journey started when López Obrador was elected as the head of the Mexican capital government in 2000 and invited her to a meeting at a Sanborns. 

“What I want is to reduce pollution,” she recalled López Obrador telling her. “Do you know how to do that?” This account comes from a biographical profile of Sheinbaum published by Natalie Kitroeff, a reporter for The New York Times in Mexico.

During her time as Minister of the Environment for Mexico City, Sheinbaum faced controversy when she ordered the construction of the second level of the Periférico highway under AMLO’s administration. This move drew criticism as the project was not initially planned to improve mobility and air quality. 

After playing a key role in founding Morena, the political party led by AMLO, she was elected as the mayor of the Tlalpan borough in 2015. In the previous Mexican elections in 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman elected as Mexico City Governor. 

Throughout her term, she faced significant and unpredictable challenges, such as managing the aftermath of the 2017 earthquake and the Line 12 subway tragedy in 2021. Despite facing tough criticism, she remained focused on enhancing the capital’s infrastructure and public services.

LEE TAMBIÉN: ¡Es Claudia! Sheinbaum será la próxima Presidenta de México

Who is Claudia Sheinbaum’s Husband?

Claudia Sheinbaum was previously married to Carlos Imaz, who was the former mayor of the Tlalpan borough and founder of the PRD political party. They have two children together, Mariana and Rodrigo Imaz Alarcónn. 

Following their divorce, she entered into a relationship with Jesús María Tarriba Unger, a prominent physicist and financial risk analyst, and they got married in November 2023.

Personal Interests of Claudia Sheinbaum

Sheinbaum is well-known for her political and scientific career as well as her diverse personal interests. She enjoys playing the guitar, ballet, and literature, with her favourite authors including Gabriel García Márquez and Rosa Montero. She is also a soccer enthusiast and a fan of the Pumas UNAM soccer team.

Mexican Elections 2024: Claudia Sheinbaum

• Full Name: Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
• Date of Birth: June 24, 1962
• Place of Birth: Mexico City.
• Age: 61 years old.
• Education: Bachelor’s in Physics, Master’s in Energy Engineering, and PhD in Energy Engineering, all from UNAM.
• Political Positions: Minister of the Environment of Mexico City (2000-2006); Mayor of Tlalpan borough (2015-2018); Governor of Mexico City (2018-2023).
• Family.
• Parents: Carlos Sheinbaum Yoselevitz (chemist) and Annie Pardo Cemo (biologist).
• Marital Status: Divorced from Carlos Imaz, founder of the PRD. Currently in a relationship with Jesús María Tarriba Unger, PhD in Physical Science.
• Children: Mariana Imaz Sheinbaum and Rodrigo Imaz.
• Family Origin: She comes from Jewish descent, with grandparents who migrated from Lithuania and Bulgaria.
• Academic Background: Her undergraduate thesis focused on the thermodynamic study of a wood-burning stove for rural communities in Mexico. 
• Political Affiliation: She is affiliated with Morena (National Regeneration Movement). 
• Personal Interests: She plays the guitar and has studied ballet; she also supports the Pumas UNAM soccer team. 
• Favorite Authors: Laura Restrepo, Gabriel García Márquez, Rosa Montero, and Isabel Allende.

Mexican Elections Date: When will the 2024 Presidential Elections take place in Mexico?

This Sunday, June 2nd, the Mexican Presidential race will have a winner. However, Mexicans will also vote to elect deputies, senators, and in several states, governors, mayors, and local deputies.