On 11th November, 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland. She took over leadership of the country from Mary Robinson. In 2008, she was ranked #74 on the Forbes list of most powerful women in the world.Mary McAleese was re-elected on Friday 1st October 2004 being the only validly-nominated candidate. She is a barrister and former Professor of Law. Born on June 27th 1951 in Belfast, she is the first President to come from Northern Ireland. She is married, since 1976, to Dr. Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children, Emma, born 1982 and twins Justin and SaraMai, born 1985.
The eldest of nine children, President McAleese grew up in Northern Ireland. She grew up Catholic in an area that was mostly Protestant. She saw lots of battles right in her own neighborhood. Her dad's store was harmed by machine gun fire and her brother was beaten through the violent times that have come to be known as 'The Troubles'. Her family was one of many adversely affected by the conflict. When she was a little girl her family priest told her that she could not be a lawyer because she was a girl. Her mom got so angry, that she pulled the chair out from under the priest. Then her mom screamed at the priest, "YOU,… OUT!!!" She told Mary, "And you, IGNORE HIM!!!"
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