Nadia María Calviño Santamaría, born on October 3, 1968, in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, has become one of the most prominent figures in Spanish and European economic leadership. Calviño, a highly respected economist, serves as the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) since January 2024, a position she assumed after years of significant political roles in Spain. Her career is marked by strategic economic reforms, leadership in digital transformation, and influential positions within the European Union.
Education and Early Career
Calviño’s academic background laid the foundation for her remarkable career in economics. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1991 and a Law degree from the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in 2001. Her academic achievements prepared her for a successful career in Spain’s public administration.
In her early career, Calviño worked in various roles within the Spanish Ministry of Economy. Her expertise in economic policy led her to the European Commission in 2006, where she held key roles in the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) and the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs (DG MARKT). In 2014, she became the Director-General for Budget at the European Commission, managing the EU’s financial planning and expenditure.
Minister of Economy: A Key Leader in Spain
In June 2018, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appointed Nadia Calviño as Minister of Economy and Business. Over the next five years, she became one of Spain’s most influential economic figures. Under her leadership, the Spanish economy saw significant reforms, especially in the areas of digital transformation, economic recovery, and fiscal stability.
Calviño’s role expanded as she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in 2020. Initially, she served as the Third Deputy Prime Minister, later becoming the Second and then the First Deputy Prime Minister by 2021. Her position as Deputy Prime Minister enabled her to lead Spain’s economic recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calviño played a crucial role in securing a €200 billion support package to help Spanish businesses and workers during the crisis. Additionally, she led negotiations for a €1.5 trillion European recovery fund to support EU countries affected by the pandemic.
Economic Leadership in Europe
Calviño’s influence extended beyond Spain. She served as the Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) from 2022 to 2024, further solidifying her leadership in global economic governance. Calviño’s work in this role demonstrated her ability to manage complex international financial policies.
In December 2023, after a successful nomination process, Calviño was appointed as the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), succeeding Werner Hoyer. As President, Calviño is expected to lead the EIB in supporting Europe’s sustainable economic development, particularly in light of challenges such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Personal Life
Nadia Calviño is married to Ignacio Manrique de Lara, and the couple has four children. Outside of her professional commitments, Calviño enjoys 1950s cinema and cooking. Fluent in Spanish, Galician, English, French, and German, she brings a multilingual approach to her international roles.
Legacy and Future Impact
Nadia Calviño’s career has made a lasting impact on Spain’s economic policies and European financial institutions. From her work as Spain’s Minister of Economy to her leadership at the European Investment Bank, Calviño’s contributions are shaping the future of economic governance in Europe. As President of the EIB, she is poised to continue advancing Europe’s economic recovery and digital transformation, ensuring long-term stability and growth.
