Who Is Katalin Novák? Age, Parents, Height, Husband, Kids, Net Worth, Biography, and more
Katalin Novák is a Hungarian politician who made history as the first woman and the youngest person ever to become the president of Hungary in 2022. However, her presidency was short-lived, as she resigned in 2024 amid a scandal involving a pardon granted to a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case.
Early Life, Parents, Birthday and Education
Katalin Novák was born on September 6, 1977 (age: 46 years, as of 2023), in Szeged, Hungary. She grew up in a middle-class family, with her father working as a lawyer and her mother as a teacher. She has a younger brother, who is also a lawyer. She attended the Ságvári Endre Secondary School in Szeged, where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She was especially interested in languages, and learned to speak French, English, German, and Spanish, in addition to her native Hungarian.
After graduating from high school in 1996, Novák enrolled in the Corvinus University of Budapest, where she studied economics. She also studied law at the University of Szeged, and spent a year abroad at the Paris Nanterre University. She obtained her master’s degree in economics in 2001, and her law degree in 2004.
Katalin Novák Wiki/Bio
| Name | Katalin Novák |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Katalin Éva Novák |
| Birth date | September 6, 1977 |
| Birth place | Szeged, Hungary |
| Ethnicity | Hungarian |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Corvinus University of Budapest (MSc in economics) University of Szeged (JD in law) Paris Nanterre University (exchange student) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, economist |
| Political party | Fidesz |
| Spouse | István Veres |
| Children | Ádám, Tamás, and Kata |
| Awards | Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland <br> Knight of the Legion of Honour |
| Links | Instagram- @katalin.novak Wikipedia- @Katalin_Novák Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Politics
Katalin Novák began her professional career in 2001, when she joined the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a specialist in European Union and European matters. She worked there for nine years, rising to the rank of ministerial advisor. In 2010, she became a member of the ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. She was appointed as the Head of Cabinet of the Ministry of Human Resources in 2012, and became the State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs in 2014. In this role, she was responsible for implementing the government’s policies on family support, child protection, education, and culture.
In 2018, Novák was elected as a member of the National Assembly, representing the Szeged constituency. She also became the Vice President of Fidesz, and one of the most influential women in Hungarian politics. In 2020, she was promoted to the position of Minister for Family Affairs, a newly created portfolio that combined her previous responsibilities with those of social affairs and health. She held this position until December 2021, when she resigned to run for the presidency.
Presidency and Resignation
On December 21, 2021, Prime Minister Orbán announced that Katalin Novák would be Fidesz’s nominee for the 2022 presidential election, which was scheduled for March 10. He praised her as a “strong and determined leader” who would “protect Hungary’s interests and values”. She accepted the nomination, saying that she was “honored and humbled” by the trust placed in her. She also said that she would “serve the Hungarian people with all my heart and soul”.
Novák faced no serious opposition in the election, as the fragmented and divided opposition parties failed to agree on a joint candidate. She won the election with 68% of the votes, becoming the first woman and the youngest person ever to be elected as the president of Hungary. She took office on May 10, 2022, succeeding János Áder, who had served two terms as president.
Her presidency was marked by her close cooperation with Orbán and his government, as well as her support for the conservative and nationalist agenda of Fidesz. She defended Hungary’s stance on issues such as migration, sovereignty, family values, and the rule of law, often clashing with the European Union and other international organizations. She also traveled extensively, visiting several countries and meeting with various leaders, such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pope Francis
Height, Weight
- Height: 170 cm (5’7″)
- Weight: 58 kg (127 lbs)
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Fair
- Hair color: Dark brown
Hungary’s First Female President Quits Over Child Abuse Pardon
Today I resigned from my office as President of Hungary. Thank you for everything to all my friends in all four corners of the world. Hungary🇭🇺 is a wonderful country with marvelous people, a good partner, an even better friend and a reliable ally. I am glad that in the past… pic.twitter.com/j4SdiezAkK
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovak_HU) February 10, 2024
Katalin Novák, the first woman to be elected as the president of Hungary, has resigned from her post after facing public outrage over her decision to pardon a man involved in a child abuse scandal. She announced her resignation in a live TV broadcast on Saturday, admitting that she had made a mistake and apologizing to the victims and the nation.
Novák, who took office in 2022, had granted clemency to a former deputy director of a state-run orphanage, who had been convicted of helping his boss to sexually abuse several children under their care. The pardon was issued in April 2020, as part of a visit by Pope Francis to Hungary, but it was only revealed by the local media last week.
The revelation sparked protests and demonstrations across the country, where people demanded Her resignation and justice for the victims. The opposition parties also called for Novák’s impeachment and a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
Novák initially defended her decision, saying that she had acted in accordance with the law and the constitution, and that she had compassion for the victims. However, she soon faced pressure and criticism from her own party and allies, who distanced themselves from her and expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction with her actions.
She was a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and a prominent member of the ruling Fidesz party, which has been in power since 2010 with a constitutional majority. She was also a former minister for family affairs and a vice-president of Fidesz. She was known for her conservative and nationalist views, and her support for the government’s family policy, which aimed to increase the birth rate and support families with children. She also opposed abortion, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ rights.
Her resignation was a rare instance of political turmoil and instability for Fidesz, which has faced criticism and opposition from the European Union and other international organizations for its controversial and authoritarian policies, such as undermining the independence of the judiciary, the media, and civil society, restricting the rights and freedoms of minorities and migrants, and clashing with the EU over the rule of law and democratic values. Her resignation was also a major blow for Orbán, who had lost one of his closest and most loyal allies, and who faced a tough challenge in the upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2024.
Novák’s legacy as the president of Hungary is mixed and controversial. On one hand, she is remembered as a trailblazer and a role model for women and young people, who broke the glass ceiling and made history. On the other hand, she is remembered as a puppet and a rubber stamp of Orbán and his government, who betrayed the trust and the expectations of the people and the victims.
Related Post: Katalin Novák’s Pardon Man, Endre Kónya
Spouse, Kids
Katalin Novák is married to István Veres, a lawyer and businessman, whom she met at the University of Szeged. They have three children: Ádám, Tamás, and Kata. They live in a villa in Buda, the western part of Budapest. She is a devout Catholic, and attends mass regularly. She is also an avid reader, and enjoys classical music and opera.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1 million – $5 million |
| 2022 | $3 million – $7 million (estimated) |
| 2023 | $5 million – $10 million (estimated) |
Katalin Novák is a Hungarian politician who rose to prominence as the first woman and the youngest person ever to become the president of Hungary in 2022. She was a loyal supporter of Prime Minister Orbán and his conservative and nationalist policies, but she also faced criticism and controversy over her role in a child sexual abuse scandal that led to her resignation in 2024. She is married to István Veres, and has three children. She is a wealthy and influential figure in Hungarian politics and society, but also a controversial and divisive one.
