Margarita Papandreou passes away at 102

Margarita Papandreou, a prominent figure in Greek public life and the former wife of late Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, passed away on the morning of September 18, 2026, at the age of 102. Born Margarita Chant on September 30, 1923, in Oak Park, Illinois, she met Andreas Papandreou while studying public health at the University of Minnesota. The couple married in 1951 and had four children: George, Sofia, Nikos, and Andrikos. They moved to Greece in 1961, where she became deeply involved in the country's political and social evolution.

Beyond her role as the spouse of a political leader, she was a dedicated activist who founded the Women's Union of Greece (EGE), focusing on gender equality, family law, and women's rights. She remained active in peace and social movements for decades. Her son, Nikos Papandreou, publicly honored her legacy as a guiding light for their family and a resilient force for change in her adopted country.

Her political funeral is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the First Cemetery of Athens, where family, friends, and political figures are expected to pay their final respects.