Rika De Backer, also known as Rika De Backer-Van Ocken, (1923 – 2002) was a Belgian conservative politician. Being a member of the Christian People's Party she was the minister of culture from 1974 to 1981. She also served at the European Parliament between 1984 and 1989.
Rika De Backer | |
|---|---|
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| Minister of Culture | |
| In office 24 April 1974 – 1981 | |
| Succeeded by | Karel Poma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 February 1923 Antwerp |
| Died | 6 May 2002 (aged 79) Weert, Netherlands |
| Political party | Christian People's Party |
| Spouse | Herman De Backer |
| Children | 7 |
Early life and education
De Becker was born in Antwerp on 1 February 1923.[1][2] She obtained a degree in history in 1944.[3]
Career and activities
Following World War II De Backer joined the Catholic Workers Women's Guilds where she involved in activities to promote women's suffrage.[3] She was a member of the Christian People's Party.[2] Her political career began in 1968 when she became vice chair of the party's Antwerp branch.[3]
De Backer was appointed minister of culture and Flemish affairs on 24 April 1974 to the first cabinet of Leo Tindemans,[2] being the first Belgian woman to hold a ministerial post.[4] In this capacity she founded the Flemish Cultural Center in Amsterdam.[4] She remained in office until late 1981 and was replaced by Karel Poma in the post.[5][6] She named as the state secretary for the Flemish community in 1979.[3] De Backer continued to serve in the post in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens between April and December 1981.[5]
De Backer also served as a senator between 1971 and 1984.[3][7] She was elected to the European Parliament in 1984 being part of the European People's Party and served there until 1989.[1] She also headed the Agence de Coopération Technique or the Flemish development agency.[8]
Personal life, death and legacy
De Backer married Herman De Backer with whom she had seven children.[3] She died of liver cancer in Weert on 6 May 2002.[2]
One of the streets in Antwerp is named after Rika De Backer.[9]
References
External links
Media related to Rika De Backer at Wikimedia Commons
