From clandestine education to the presidency: the remarkable rise of Atifete Jahjaga

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Atifete Jahjaga rose from a generation denied basic rights under the Milosevic regime to become Kosovo’s first female president. Her journey from a clandestine student to a five-star police general and eventually the youngest democratically elected head of state in 2011 offers a powerful lesson in resilience and institutional leadership.

Born in the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Jahjaga’s early life was defined by the dissolution of the state and the Kosovo War. During the 1990s, Kosovo Albanian students were barred from educational buildings, forcing them into a clandestine house system. Jahjaga, who later earned a law degree, personally experienced the violence of this era, facing beatings from military and police officers while attempting to pursue her education in private residences.

Following the war, Jahjaga transitioned into public service, joining the United Nations-backed Kosovo Police Service. She played a pivotal role in establishing new bylaws and Western-standard policing, notably introducing women into the force for the first time. Over a decade, she rose through the ranks, retiring in 2011 as a five-star general at age 35. This background in law enforcement and public service provided the foundation for her unexpected nomination as an independent candidate for the presidency during a constitutional crisis that same year.

As president from 2011 to 2016, Jahjaga prioritized the empowerment of women and youth, viewing their education as the turning point for Kosovo’s future. She hosted the 2012 International Women’s Summit, which led to the adoption of the Pristina Principles—a resolution affirming women's rights to political participation, economic resources, and security. After leaving office, she established the Jahjaga Foundation in 2018 to continue this work, cementing her legacy as a promoter of peace, stability, and institutional development in the Balkans.

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