Traian Basescu Biography
Childhood
Traian Basescu was born on November 4, 1951, in the town of Basarabi, now called Murfatlar, near the port city of Constanta in Romania. His father, Dumitru, was a retired army officer, and his mother, Elena, was a homemaker. Traian grew up in a family with several children and spent part of his early years in different Romanian cities like Iasi and Bacau, due to his father's military postings. During his youth, he attended school in these cities and even had a reputation for being quite spirited, often engaging in playful fights with schoolmates. He later joined the military and enrolled at the Naval Academy in Constanta, where he began his career as a ship captain.
Career
Traian Basescu had a prominent political career, starting as a ship captain before transitioning to politics. He served as the Romanian Minister of Transport multiple times between 1991 and 2000. Basescu was elected Mayor of Bucharest in 2000, where he gained a significant public profile. He became leader of the Democratic Party in 2001 and led the Justice and Truth Alliance in the 2004 presidential elections. That year, he was elected President of Romania and re-elected in 2009. During his presidency, Romania joined the European Union on January 1, 2007, and he was known for his focus on reform, economic growth, and anti-corruption policies. Basescu was the only Romanian president to be suspended twice by the Parliament, in 2007 and 2012, but he remained a significant political figure in the country. After his presidency ended in 2014, he continued engaging in politics, including serving as a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2024.
Current Family Life
Traian Basescu has been married to Maria Basescu since 1975. Together, they have two daughters, Ioana and Elena. Ioana is a notary, while Elena has been involved in politics and served as a Member of the European Parliament. The family is close-knit, frequently sharing moments together, including with the grandchildren. Basescu's daughters have publicly celebrated their father's milestones and events in their lives. Despite his political controversies, Basescu maintains a strong family presence and continues to be involved in personal and public activities.
Traian Basescu Summary
Traian Basescu is a Romanian politician esteemed for serving as the country's president from 2004 to 2014, becoming a key figure in Romania's path to the European Union. With a background as a naval captain, he transitioned into politics where he focused on reform and anti-corruption measures. His presidency was notable for Romania's EU accession and his resilience amid political challenges, including two suspensions by parliament. Currently, he enjoys a family life with his wife Maria and two daughters while remaining active in public affairs and politics.