Hanja Maij-Weggen

Who is Hanja Maij-Weggen?

Johanna Rika Hermanna Maij-Weggen is a former Dutch politician. From 1989 until 1994 she was Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management in the third cabinet of prime minister Ruud Lubbers, and from 2003 until 2009 the Queen's Commissioner of the province of North Brabant.

After a nursing education from 1962 until 1965 she studied Pedagogy and History of Art at the University of Amsterdam until 1971. In 1967, she started working as a healthcare teacher in Amstelveen and Apeldoorn. In 1979, her political career started when she became a member of the European Parliament. In 1989, she temporarily left the European Parliament to become the Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. Four years later, she returned to the European Parliament where she remained until October 1, 2003 when she became the Queen's Commissioner for the province of North Brabant. She retired on October 1, 2009.