For many years, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega was one of the key figures inside Zapatero’s government. She served as the Government’s spokesperson, minister of the Presidency, and first deputy prime minister. In 2018 she began her tenure as president of the Council of State, a position she held until 2022. Now, as confirmed by ABC, Fernández de la Vega finds herself in a particularly delicate moment, and gradually she has decided to step back from her career within the Council of State to focus on her health. It is her brother Jesús, as explained in Informalia, who “is by her side at all times” and accompanies her constantly. Yes, she is “quite thin, though physically she is fine; she had a problem after a fall, but she recovered,” they add.
Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega was born in Valencia 75 years ago. Her father, a law graduate, worked as a labor inspector and as a labor delegate during the Second Republic and the Franco regime. He also earned the Medal of Merit for Labor. The man married Elena Sanz after the Civil War and the couple settled in the capital of the Turia, where María Teresa was born. Later, the entire family moved to Zaragoza due to his work. Upon reaching adulthood, María Teresa moved to Madrid, the city where she studied Law, just like her brother. In the mid-1970s she joined the Cuerpo de Secretarios Jurídicos Laborales and became a magistrate.
The career of María Teresa Fernández de la Vega
During this period, she also worked as an associate professor of Law and is affiliated with the association Jueces para la Democracia. In 2011, the former vice president was named Doctor honoris causa by the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo. In the late 1970s she decided to take another step in her passion for politics and joined the PSUC. Later, in 1982, she assumed the leadership of the office of the former Minister of Justice, Fernando Ledesma, who would also become her mentor. She held that post for three years. In 1994 she was named Secretary of State for Justice, participating in the handling of the GAL cases. She was elected deputy for Jaén on the PSOE ticket in the 1996-2000 legislature.
Later, in the general elections of March 14, 2004, María Teresa was elected deputy to the Congress and was named first vice president and minister of the Presidency. She also became the first woman to assume the duties of head of government in the history of Spanish democracy after a trip abroad by Zapatero. On October 20, 2010 she announced her departure from the government posts, succeeded by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba. In the summer of 2018 she was chosen president of the Council of State, succeeding José Manuel Romay. Four years later she announced her resignation as president of this body.
Her life now after leaving politics
Since 2022, María Teresa has been a permanent adviser to the Council of State. In recent years, the former vice president has made public appearances on several occasions. Not only at this event with the Embassy of Morocco but, for instance, at the Santander Bank social projects call, held in 2024. After parting ways with the PSOE, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega made headlines again when she decided to undergo a few cosmetic touches to her face. Not only did some features change, but there was also a noticeable alteration to the forehead, eyes, nose, and cheekbones. At the time, María Teresa stated that she had gained seven kilos.
A claim that was contradicted by her appearance in 2019 in Latvia, where one could see a former vice president without any wrinkles on her face and with a visibly taut forehead that many experts attributed to rejuvenation treatments. Thus, at that moment, it was explained that she might have opted for hyaluronic acid for her lips and Botox. Now, the politician presents a more modern and natural image, leaving behind all of those refinements. She has also decided to cut her hair, adopting a straighter look and an almost platinum blonde color with some darker roots. Regarding her style, the former vice president continues to favor bright colors, giving her a more contemporary touch.
