Daughter of the late Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo
graduated from Assumption College in the Philippines, holds a master degree in economics
from Ateneo de Manila University, and Ph.D. in economics from the University of the
Philippines.

After teaching economics, Macapagal-Arroyo became former President Corazon Aquino's
Undersecretary of Trade and Industry. She was elected senator in 1992, winning election
in 1995 in a landslide. In 1998 Macapagal-Arroyo easily won the vice presidency. She
assumed the presidency in January 2001 when street demonstrations forced Joseph Estrada,
who faced serious corruption allegations, from office. She is married to a lawyer.