Biography

Image via knipseklkrant-curacao.com

Maria Liberia-Peters was elected Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles from 1984 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1994. 

Born Maria Peters in Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, she attended school and earned a teaching degree in the Netherlands. 

Her road to politics began in the 1970s, when she started parents' groups and became a member of the National People's Party. In 1975, after being encouraged by others to run for office, she earned a seat on the Curaçao Island Council where she stayed a member for the next five years. In 1982 she was appointed to the legislature of the Netherlands Antilles and also became the Minister of Economic Affairs. She was Chair of the Board, Regional Conference for the Integration of Women in the development of Latin America and the Caribbean from 1991 to 1994. Since 1994 Maria has been the opposition leader in parliament.