The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) may lean more to the working class but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their pulse in fashion.

Danae Stratou, the wife of Finance Minister Nikos Varoufakis

The lovely artist, described by a satirical program as looking like a “playboy bunny from the Eighties”,  is the most famous wife who has looks and money.

Elizabeth Kotzia, the German wife of FM Nikos Kotzias

Her friends call her Lilo! They met when Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias studied in Germany. She fell in love with Greece, especially the sea, that may explain why the couple live in the seaside suburb of Paleo Faliro. They’ve been married for decades. They have a daughter, Anna, who is a director.

Elizabeth speaks fluent Greek and taught German Literature at the University of Athens. She is cultured, moral and publicity shy.

Themis Gekou-Stathaki, wife of Economy, Infrastructure, Maritime Affairs and Tourism Minister George Stathakis

Economy, Infrastructure, Maritime Affairs and Tourism Minister George Stathakis has long, dark hair, prefers to wear suits and is discreet. She accompanied her husband at the swearing-in ceremony of his term in office and drew attention for being constantly by his side and capturing his signing-in with her cell phone.

The couple have been married for 25 years but currently live far apart as the family base of the Stathakis family is CHania, Crete. This is not the first time that distance has tested the couple as they had also separated when she had completed post-graduate studies at the University of Paris and he had been a guest researcher at the European Studies Center of Harvard University.

The couple’s daughter is a first-year medical student at the University of Athens, whereas her son is finishing high school this year and wants to be an economists.

Friends of the couple say that Themis is intelligent, humorous and friendly and very much in love with her husband.

Orsalia Proiskou, wife of Labor and Social Solidarity Minister Panos Skourletis

Those who know the couple, say that Orsalia is the only woman who can leave the minister speechless. Born in Megara, she loves her place of birth and visits often. She is a die-hard leftie and supports SYRIZA at every opportunity.

She takes good care of her diet and appearance though her style is casual. Sociable and friendly, most of her social circle is from the left and she is known for calling her friends comrades.

She loves traveling and trips to the sea.  The couple and the two sons often visit Helmos at Kalavryta that belong to one of Orsalia’s relatives.

Dimitra Fourfi, Infrastructures, wife of Transport and Networks Minister Christos Spirtzis

The impressive blonde bombshell is 41 years old. She studied at the Philosophy School of Athens with post-grad studies in Paris on linguistics. She is currently doing her dissertation at the National Technical University of Athens.

She met her husband when he was a young engineer unionist at the Technical Chamber of Athens in 2001. Mutual friends introduced them and it was love at first sight. They have two children, 11-year-old Panagiotis and 8-year-old Kalia.

She currently works at the Minsitry of Internal Affairs on issues concerning refugees. In the past, she had her own show on the Greek National Radio and Television Network (ERT), “Diavazontas” (Reading), that was dedicated to books. She loves traveling and the cinema.

People who know her speak of a polite and cultured woman with a passion for literature. She is active on social media but even though she is sociable and accompanies her husband on official appearances, she avoids publicity and has refused all requests for interviews.

Sissy Albanopoulou, wife of Alt. Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis

The couple fell in love when still at school. She left for Paris to study Clinical Psychology but distance and time couldn’t separate them and they took off from where they left off on her return. They live at Strefi hill with their two sons, Galati and Antonis, who are tertiary students.

Friends say that Sissy is sensitive and strong. She works hard and balances family with career. She has a teenage look with frizzy hair and slim built. She loves Syros, the island where she was born, and Mykonos, the island where her husband comes from and they visit both regularly.

The couple socializes  with good friends, and Sissy isn’t the limelight, prefering to just lay back and enjoy the company. She has often volunteered her services to help vulnerably disadvantaged groups cope with their problems.


Evangelia Stratou, wife of Deputy Greek Health Minister Dimitris Stratoulis

Always by her husband’s side, Evangelia is also interested in politics herself. She has often been voted on boards for culture associations and recently entered local government as a candidate municipal council for the Municipality of Xiromerou. In jest, she likes to joke that she should have been the one to be given her husband’s portfolio.

She is a lawyer for the Supreme Court, her husband often seeks her counsel, especially on labor issues. In the past she had represented journalists who sought payment of fees for work rendered. Despite being ultra-busy, she always finds time for her two children.

Karen Grammenidou, wife of Education Minister Tasos Kourakis

A member of the Greek Communist Party (KKE) for decades before turning to SYRIZA, Karen teaches at the Polytechnic School of Aristotle and has represented the body of academics as secretary of the union. In 2010, she participated in the municipal combination known as “Thessaloniki Open City” and has often been an active member of her community.

Her free time is dedicated to her three children: Stelios, Kostis and Orestes.

Evgenia Dragasaaki, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Giannis Dragasakis

Banker Evgenia is Dragasakis’ second wife. Though she has strong political beliefs, she avoids the spotlight and keeps distances from her husband’s political course. She has a low profile. Friends say she is hospitable and say that the couple is calm, enjoying time with friends while dining and inevitably talking politics.

Heather Gibson, the Scottish wife of Euclid Tsakalotos

Heather’s CV rivals that of her husband. She is an economist with a pelthora of publications on financial issues. She has taken part in studies of the Greek economy, such as an issue published for the Bank of Greece on the Greek fiscal crisis in 2011.

Friends say that the coupld is well-matched. They speak English with each other and have few, select friends. Heather supports her husband and it was actually her suggestion that he enter politics.

The couple lives in Kifissia, but they often visit Preveza where they own a holidaya house.

Christina Fili, wife of SYRIZA Parliamentary Spokesperson Nikos Filis

The politician married a much younger woman. Both are married for the first time and have a pre-pubescent daughter, Marianna. Christina is a bank clerk and friends call her as communicative and ideologically open to different ideas. Both enjoy good food and the cinema. Christina is the chauffeur in the relationship as Filis doesn’t drive.

State Minister Nikos Pappas well-kept secret

Few people know that State Minister Nikos Pappas has a wife that he keeps hidden well from the public limelight. His wife is two years younger and they have been together for many years. The couple has two daughters and they live together as a family at a flat in Thisseio, central Athens.

Despite his government duties, Pappas takes his children to school, whereas his wife, an out-of-work nursery teacher, takes care of them the rest of the day.