Claudia Sheinbaum

Claudia Sheinbaum

Author: BBC Radio 4 January 18, 2025 Duration: 14:30

She is the renowned scientist who studied environmental engineering, and went on to hold the role of mayor of Mexico City during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Late last year, Claudia Sheinbaum made further history.

"For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico," she said before taking office.

Born in 1962, Claudia Sheinbaum’s father was a chemical engineer and her mother, a biology professor. Both parents descended from Jewish immigrants from Europe who settled in North America.

She’s enjoyed remarkably high poll ratings since taking office, but critics suggest she will live under her mentor’s shadow, and her biggest test is yet to come.

As Donald Trump gets ready to enter the White House for a second time, Claudia Sheinbaum has already had to respond to his suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.

So what lies ahead? Stephen Smith has been talking to her friends, colleagues and peers to find out more about Mexico’s history-maker.

Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Sally Abrahams and Bethan Ashmead Latham Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young

Credits Emilia Perez, Trailer Director, Jacques Audiard; Production companies: Why Not Productions, Page 114, Pathe, France 2 Cinema, Saint Laurent Productions

"Claudia: El Documental", Director: Rodrigo Imaz; @ClaudiaSheinbaumP https://youtu.be/NDuUL-RQvMU

The Nobel Peace Prize, 2007, Nobelprize.org


Each week, Profile from BBC Radio 4 takes a single name from the global conversation and builds a detailed portrait, moving far beyond the headlines. This isn't a simple biography or a news recap. Instead, through careful documentary storytelling and personal journal excerpts where available, the podcast constructs a nuanced examination of character and motive. You’ll hear from colleagues, critics, and sometimes the subjects themselves, piecing together what drives and defines the people shaping our world. The focus rests firmly on influence, whether in politics, the arts, science, or social movements, exploring how an individual's background and choices ripple through society and culture. Listening to this podcast feels like gaining a deeper, more textured understanding of the figures you think you know, revealing the contradictions and convictions behind the public image. It’s a thoughtful half-hour that challenges first impressions, asking what truly lies behind a name in the news.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Profile
Podcast Episodes
Marco Rubio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:19
Earlier this month the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also made President Trump's National Security Advisor. The last person to undertake both roles simultaneously was Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. The son of Cuba…
Zia Yusuf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:27
Reform UK triumphed in May’s local elections, winning many more council seats up for grabs than the other major parties. Behind the scenes, the party has gone through major changes. Millionaire businessman and donor Zia…
Peter Navarro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
President Trump shocked the world earlier this year when he announced plans to impose tariffs affecting nearly all goods entering America.But rather than coming as a surprise, the US President had made the policy one of…
Mark Carney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:37
Canadians are gearing up to vote in a snap General Election.It's been called by Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, who in recent months replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal P…
Jarvis Cocker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:38
Beloved Britpop band Pulp have released their first new music in almost a quarter of a century, the single 'Spike Island'.Their talismanic frontman Jarvis Cocker has always been the band's star turn, with his second-hand…
Lesley Manville [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:31
Stephen Smith profiles the actor Lesley Manville, winner of a second Olivier theatre award. From growing up in Hove to her long-time collaboration with film-maker Mike Leigh, Manville has a reputation as the complete pro…
Steve Witkoff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:56
Steve Witkoff started out as a New York lawyer, until a late night encounter with Donald Trump in a sandwich shop inspired him to move into real estate. Known as "Smoking Steve", he has amassed a property empire worth mi…
Jack Thorne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:44
Jack Thorne is co-author of Netflix drama Adolescence. But this is far from his first rodeo, over a 20 year career, his writing has appeared in many iconic British dramas, from Shameless and This is England '86 to His Da…
Jonathan Powell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:47
Jonathan Powell, the UK’s National Security Adviser, is used to operating behind the scenes: he’s spent decades working as a diplomat, negotiator and mediator. Recent events in the US and Ukraine have thrust him into the…
Liz Kendall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:05
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has one the toughest tasks in Labour’s domestic programme: tackling the burgeoning welfare bill.Next week, the government is expected to announce reforms to the welfare system. The…