World’s First Ladies: Only Four Have PhD Level, Doctorates
- Jatinder Singh
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
In nearly 200 nations across the globe, First Ladies are known for their influence, diplomacy, and public service. Yet only a select four have reached the pinnacle of academia by holding a PhD-level doctorate. This makes them unique figures who embody both scholarly achievement and the symbolic role of First Lady.
Dr. Jill Biden – United States
Degree: Doctor of Education (EdD), University of Delaware (2007)
America’s First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, has broken multiple precedents. She is the first U.S. First Lady to continue working in a full-time, salaried job—teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College—even while serving at the White House. Her doctoral research focused on student retention in community colleges, reinforcing her lifelong advocacy for education access.
Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe – Sri Lanka
Degree: PhD in Feminist Research Methodology, University of London
Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe served as Sri Lanka’s First Lady from 2022 to 2024. She is a highly respected professor at the University of Kelaniya and founder of the Centre for Gender Studies. Her academic work on gender, equality, and feminist theory stands as a powerful contribution to South Asian scholarship. She remains the first-ever First Lady of Sri Lanka with a doctoral degree.
Dr. Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda – Iran
Degree: PhD in Philosophy of Education, Tarbiat Modares University (2001)
Dr. Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda, spouse of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, served as Iran’s First Lady until 2024. She is an associate professor at Shahid Beheshti University and the founder of the Institute of Fundamental Studies of Science and Technology. Her career reflects a consistent commitment to advancing educational thought and policy in Iran.
Grace Mugabe – Zimbabwe (Controversial)
Degree: PhD in Sociology, University of Zimbabwe (2014)
Grace Mugabe, wife of late President Robert Mugabe, was awarded a PhD in Sociology under highly unusual circumstances. The degree was reportedly granted just two months after enrollment, with her thesis never made publicly available. University staff and academics have described her as a “ghost student,” raising strong doubts about the legitimacy of the qualification. While officially recognized, her doctorate remains deeply controversial.
That only four First Ladies worldwide hold doctoral-level qualifications shows just how unusual this achievement is. Doctoral research requires years of dedication, originality, and intellectual discipline—qualities not often associated with the ceremonial role of a First Lady.
Among these four women, three—Jill Biden, Maithree Wickremasinghe, and Jamileh Alamolhoda—are widely respected academics with undisputed credentials. Grace Mugabe’s case adds complexity, serving as a reminder of how politics and academia can sometimes collide.
As symbols of nations, First Ladies are often remembered for their grace, advocacy, or public service. But in these rare cases, they also stand as scholars and intellectuals who have earned the highest level of academic distinction. Their stories remind the world that the pursuit of knowledge can exist alongside the responsibilities of representing a country at the highest level.
