Mary Loretta Landrieu, an American entrepreneur and politician, was born on November 23, 1955, in Arlington, Virginia.
She was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she developed a strong sense of community and public service.
As the daughter of Moon Landrieu, former New Orleans mayor and secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the sister of Mitch Landrieu, a former mayor of New Orleans and Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Mary Landrieu was deeply rooted in the city's politics.
She received her baccalaureate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she honed her skills in leadership and public policy.
Mary Landrieu's political career began in the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she served from 1980 to 1988.
She was then elected as the Louisiana State Treasurer, a position she held from 1988 to 1996.
In 1996, Mary Landrieu won a close race for the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to represent Louisiana in the Senate.
She was re-elected in 2002 and 2008, each time increasing her margin of victory in competitive races.
However, in 2014, Mary Landrieu was defeated by U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy.
Despite this setback, Mary Landrieu remained a prominent figure in national politics, particularly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
She publicly criticized the federal response to the natural disaster, highlighting the need for more effective disaster relief efforts.
In 2010, Mary Landrieu played a key role in the crafting of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, advocating for additional concessions to support Louisiana's Medicaid system.
From 2009 to 2014, she chaired the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and from 2014 to 2015, she chaired the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Throughout her career, Mary Landrieu has been known for her strong leadership and commitment to public service.
