PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF - 3 AGATHA BARBARA 1923-2002

PROFILE Born in Żabbar on 11 March 1923 to Joseph Barbara and Antonia née Agius, Agatha Barbara was the second of nine children. She received her education at the Government Primary and Grammar schools and worked as a teacher at the Flores College in . She was the first Maltese female to be elected in parliament and to become a Minister. In 1982, aged 58, she was appointed as the third President of the Republic of Malta. Following a short stint by Albert Hyzler who served as Acting President, Ms Barbara’s tenure started on 15 February 1982 and ended on 15 February 1987. She died on Monday 4 February 2002, aged 78, and was given a state funeral. Requiem mass was held at St John’s Co-Cathedral followed by internment at Żabbar Cemetery.

POLITICAL CAREER Agatha Barbara started her political career in 1946 with Paul Boffa’s , contesting the general elections of 1947 and being elected. Successfully contesting all consecutive elections with the MLP up to 1981, she retained the parliamentary seat until her appointment as President of the Republic in 1982. During the 1955 Legislature, Barbara was appointed Minister of Education and Culture, making her the first Maltese woman responsible of a ministerial portfolio. With the setting up of Cabinet following the 1972 general elections, she was reinstated as Minister of Education and Culture. In 1974, she was entrusted with a new portfolio for Works, Social Services and Culture. Between 1971 and 1981, Barbara also served as Acting Prime Minister during a few brief instances, as well as member of the Executive Committee of the Labour Party for a good number of years.

OFFICE AND DUTIES During World War II, Barbara worked with the Air Raid Precautions section and later as a Supervisor with the Victory Kitchens. She also worked at the MLP printing press, then known as Freedom Press. She held various posts including that of President of the Labour Women’s section at Żabbar and as member of the International Socialist Women. She was also Honorary President of the Maltese Settlers Club in Sydney, Australia, as well as the St Michael’s Band Club in Żabbar.

OTHER INFORMATION Agatha Barbara received a number of honorific awards from various countries, including Bulgaria, Pakistan and the People’s Republic of Korea. She was conferred with an Honoris Causa Doctorate of Philosophy in Pedagogy by the University of Beijing, China. In 1986, the Central Bank issued a new edition of banknotes with her image in the legal values of LM 2, LM 5, LM 10 and LM 20. There is a monument in her honour in Żabbar, a work by the Maltese sculptor Anton Agius, as well as streets named after her in Żabbar and Marsascala, and a square in Tarxien.

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