Former NZ PM Jacinda Ardern’s Memoir Joins Five Must-Reads by Women Leaders
The release of Jacinda Ardern’s memoir A Different Kind of Power offers a candid glimpse into the life of a leader known for her empathetic and human approach to governance. If Ardern’s story resonates with you, here are five compelling memoirs by women who have broken political barriers around the world.
1. A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
Ardern's memoir is a warm, often humorous, and deeply personal account. She opens with one defining moment—discovering her pregnancy while negotiating a coalition government—and navigates through her leadership during events like the Christchurch mosque attack and the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than diving into policy jargon, Ardern focuses on the emotional toll of leadership, sharing her struggles with fertility, public scrutiny, and burnout. Her approach redefines political power with kindness and authenticity.
2. The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris
Before becoming the first female, Black, and South Asian Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris penned this memoir that blends personal history with her vision for a more equitable America. Charting her journey from Oakland to the Senate, Harris emphasizes justice and equality, inspired by her mother’s example and legal career. This book is a powerful call to action rooted in the realities of modern American politics.
3. My Truth by Indira Gandhi
India’s only female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, offers rare insight into her complex life and leadership in My Truth. Compiled from interviews, the memoir reveals her challenges as a woman in power, the weight of her family legacy, and her controversial decisions, including the 1975 Emergency. The book is essential for those seeking to understand South Asia’s political landscape and the intricacies of female leadership in a traditionally patriarchal society.
4. Daughter of Destiny by Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation, recounts her extraordinary life marked by privilege, tragedy, and resilience. From her education at Harvard and Oxford to enduring her father’s execution and her own exile, Bhutto’s memoir paints a vivid portrait of political sacrifice. Her leadership journey, ended tragically by assassination, underscores the volatility faced by women in power within turbulent regions.
5. Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021 by Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel, who guided Europe’s largest economy for 16 years, steps away from her usual reserve in this memoir. Detailing her path from East Germany to the chancellery, Merkel reflects on leading through crises such as the financial crash and refugee influx. Her pragmatic and steady governance style shines through, providing insight into balancing national interests with global challenges while confronting rising populism.
These memoirs collectively shed light on the multifaceted experiences of female leaders shaping world history—each story a testament to resilience, determination, and the evolving face of power.
