Rita Barberá

(Rita Barber%C3%A1) Fern%C3%A1ndez de la Vega se re%C3%BAne con la alcaldesa de Valencia. Pool Moncloa. 6 de octubre de 2008 (cropped)

Rita Barberá

Rita Barberá Nolla (16 July 1948 – 23 November 2016) was a Spanish politician who served as the Mayor of Valencia, Spain from 1991 to 2015. She was a member of the People's Party (PP) and was known for her long tenure as mayor and her influence in Valencian politics.

Early Life and Education

Barberá was born on July 16, 1948, in Valencia, Spain. She studied Law at the University of Valencia.

Political Career

Barberá began her political career in the 1970s and was elected as a councilor in Valencia in 1983. She later became the Mayor of Valencia in 1991, a position she held for 24 years until 2015. During her time as mayor, she was involved in various urban development projects and initiatives aimed at promoting Valencia as a cultural and tourist destination. Barberá was also a member of the Spanish Senate from 2015 until her death in 2016. She faced controversy and legal issues related to alleged corruption within the PP, although she consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Death

Rita Barberá passed away on November 23, 2016, in Madrid, Spain, at the age of 68.

Legacy

Barberá's legacy remains a topic of debate in Spanish politics, with supporters praising her contributions to Valencia's development, while critics point to the corruption scandals that tarnished her reputation.