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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and mother of seven children, is a vivid example of the Law of Sacrifice. This law states that leaders often must give up personal comforts, time, and other privileges in order to achieve greater goals and lead effectively. Von der Leyen's life path and her choices show how she made personal sacrifices in order to do justice both to her family and to her professional career. Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician and the current President of the European Commission. Here are her key achievements:
President of the European Commission (since 2019)
She is the first woman to hold this office and drives the EU's strategic direction, including the Green Agenda and digitalization.
European Green Deal
Von der Leyen initiated the plan to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, including extensive investments in sustainable technologies.
COVID-19 crisis management
She coordinated the procurement of vaccines for EU member states and the NextGenerationEU recovery plan with a volume of 750 billion euros.
NATO reform
As German Minister of Defense (2013–2019), she advocated for modernizing the Bundeswehr and strengthening NATO.
Promoting equality
Von der Leyen championed a higher quota of women in leadership positions and family-friendly policy.
International cooperation
She strengthened the EU's geopolitical role, for example through partnerships with the United States and Africa.
Giving Up Simple Life Choices
Situation
Von der Leyen chose both to have a large family and to pursue a demanding political career. This balancing act required immense organization, discipline, and personal sacrifice to do justice to both areas.
Link to the law
Leaders often have to give up personal comfort in order to fulfill their responsibilities. Von der Leyen had to give up many private freedoms and much time in order to master both her professional and family obligations.
Giving Up Personal Time
Situation
Raising seven children requires substantial time and devotion. At the same time, von der Leyen built a political career that brought long working hours, travel, and intense political responsibility. She had to sacrifice personal time for hobbies or relaxation in order to combine both.
Link to the law
Leaders must strategically prioritize their time. Von der Leyen sacrificed personal time in order to be both a devoted mother and a successful politician
Giving Up Traditional Career Paths
Situation
Von der Leyen chose to work as a physician first before moving into politics, and began her political career comparatively late. This decision meant giving up a straightforward career and required flexible adaptation to new challenges.
Link to the law
Leaders often have to give up their original plans in order to seize new opportunities. Von der Leyen gave up the comfort of a stable career path in order to achieve greater influence in politics.
Giving Up Privacy
Situation
As a public figure with a large family, von der Leyen is under constant scrutiny from the media and the public. This means a loss of privacy, not only for her but also for her family.
Link to the law
Leaders often have to sacrifice their privacy, since they serve the common good. Von der Leyen's willingness to make this sacrifice shows her dedication to her leadership role.
Giving Up Perfection
Situation
Von der Leyen had to accept that it is impossible to be a perfect mother and a perfect politician at the same time. Instead, she found ways to be present in both roles without overwhelming herself or her goals.
Link to the law
Leaders must set priorities and cannot do everything perfectly at once. Von der Leyen's ability to handle challenges pragmatically is an expression of this law.
Sacrifice for Family and Society
Situation
Von der Leyen worked not only for her family but also for broader social goals, such as promoting women's rights, equality, and social security. These commitments required additional sacrifices of time and energy.
Link to the law
Leaders often have to sacrifice personal goals in order to advance greater social values. Von der Leyen's commitment shows how she accepted this sacrifice in order to exert greater influence.
Long-Term Vision Despite Short-Term Sacrifice
Situation
Despite the challenges posed by her large family and her career, von der Leyen always held a long-term vision — both for her children and for her political work. This vision helped her accept short-term sacrifices as a necessary step.
Link to the law
Leaders must be willing to make short-term sacrifices for long-term success. Von der Leyen's ability to accept sacrifice in the present in order to succeed in the long run reflects this law.
Key takeaways
Key lessons from Ursula von der Leyen's life in connection with the Law of Sacrifice
- Sacrifice for familyVon der Leyen gave up personal comfort in order to be a devoted mother to her seven children.
- Time managementShe sacrificed personal time in order to do justice to both her family and her career.
- Flexibility in careerShe gave up a straightforward career path in order to pursue larger goals.
- Privacy as sacrificeHer public role led to a loss of privacy for her and her family.
- Accepting imperfectionShe recognized that priorities and pragmatism matter more than perfection.
- Contribution to societyVon der Leyen sacrificed personal interests in order to advance social and political progress.
- Long-term visionHer ability to make short-term sacrifices was the key to her long-term success.
Summary
Ursula von der Leyen's life and career are an inspiring example of the Law of Sacrifice. Her choices show how leaders must be willing to make personal sacrifices in order to achieve greater goals — whether in family, in politics, or in society. She demonstrates that true success often arises from a balancing act between sacrifice and prioritization.