Peru has entered a new era with the inauguration of Keiko Fujimori as the country’s first woman to be elected president. After years in the political spotlight and several attempts to win the presidency, Fujimori has finally reached the nation’s highest office, securing her place in Peru’s history.

Education:

– Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Boston University (1997).

– Master of Business Administration (MBA), Columbia University / Columbia Business School (2008)

Politics has been part of her life for decades. As the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, she grew up witnessing the influence and demands of public office from an early age. But over time, she worked to establish herself as a political figure in her own right, leading her own party and becoming one of the most recognisable names in Peruvian politics.

Long before becoming president, Keiko Fujimori had already occupied one of Peru’s most visible public roles. In 1994, at just 19 years old, she became First Lady after her father, then-President Alberto Fujimori, removed her mother, Susana Higuchi, from the position following a highly public family and political split. The appointment made Keiko one of the youngest first ladies in the Americas. It was an extraordinary responsibility for someone so young and placed her at the centre of national politics years before she chose to pursue a political career of her own.

Career:

1994–2000 – First Lady of Peru (Age 19–25)

2006–2011 – Member of the Peruvian Congress

  • Elected to Congress representing Lima. During her five-year term, she became one of the country’s most prominent opposition politicians and gained experience in national lawmaking.

2009–Present – Leader of Popular Force (Fuerza Popular)

  • Founded and has led the Popular Force political movement (originally Force 2011). Under her leadership, it became one of Peru’s largest and most influential political parties. 

2011 – Presidential Candidate

  • Reached the runoff election but narrowly lost.

2016 – Presidential Candidate

  • Won the first round of voting but lost the runoff by a very small margin.

2021 – Presidential Candidate

  • Again advanced to the runoff before being defeated in another close election.

2026 – President of Peru

  • After three unsuccessful campaigns, she won the 2026 presidential election and was sworn in on 28 July 2026, becoming the first woman elected President of Peru by popular vote

Keiko Fujimori path to the presidency was anything but straightforward. It included election defeats, public criticism, and years of political uncertainty. Yet she remained a central figure in Peru’s political landscape, returning to the campaign trail each time with the determination to earn the country’s highest office.

Now, as president, Fujimori takes office at a time when many Peruvians are looking for stability, economic growth, and renewed confidence in their government. The challenges ahead are significant, and expectations for her leadership will be equally high.

Regardless of political opinion, her election marks an important milestone. It represents another step forward in the growing number of women reaching the highest positions of leadership around the world.

Keiko Fujimori’s story is one of persistence. After years of setbacks and fierce political competition, she has become the first woman elected to lead Peru, opening a new chapter in the country’s political history and adding her name to the list of women who have broken barriers in public life.

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