Claudia Fritsche (born 26 July 1952) is a former Liechtenstein diplomat who was Liechtenstein's first ambassador to the United Nations, the United States, and Liechtenstein's first female ambassador.

Early life

Claudia Fritsche was born on 26 July 1952. In 1970, she met Manfred at a dance in Liechtenstein and later married in 1980. From 1970 to 1974, she served as Prime Minister

Alfred Hilbe Alfred J. Hilbe (22 July 1928 – 31 October 2011) was a political figure from Liechtenstein. Hilbe was the Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1965 to 1970, and the Prime Minister from 1970 to 1974. In February 1983, she became the Second Deputy of the Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the

Council of Europe The Council of Europe (CoE; french: Conseil de l'Europe, ) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold European Convention on Human Rights, human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. ...

. In 1987, she worked at the Liechtenstein embassy in

Bern german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese , neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen , website ...

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

and later worked at the embassy in Vienna, Austria in 1988. From 1987 to 1990, she served as the chairwoman of the Liechtenstein National Committee on Equality between Women and Men while representing the country on the European Committee on Equality between Women and Men. In September 1990, Prince Hans-Adam II appointed her to serve as the Liechtenstein ambassador to the United Nations and remained in the position until September 2002. From 1999 to 2002, she served as the president of the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations.

United States

In September 2000, she was appointed by Hans-Adam II to serve as the first Liechtenstein ambassador to the United States and presented her credentials to President Bill Clinton on 9 December 2000. In May 2016, Salve Regina University gave her an honorary degree in Doctor of Humane Letters and was given the Commander's Cross of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit by Hans-Adam II in September. In August, she retired and was replaced by

Kurt Jaeger Kurt Jaeger (born 25 November 1961) is a Liechtensteiner diplomat who served as Liechtenstein's ambassador to the United States. Early life Kurt Jaeger was born on 25 November 1961, to Kurt Julius Jaeger in Grabs, Switzerland. From 1973 to 1979, ...

. At the time of her retirement she was one of the longest serving ambassadors in Washington, D.C.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fritsche, Claudia 1952 births Ambassadors of Liechtenstein to the United States Liechtenstein women diplomats Living people Permanent Representatives of Liechtenstein to the United Nations Women ambassadors