Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra became the first woman to serve as President of Peru on 7 December 2022. She ascended to the nation’s highest office following the impeachment and arrest of Pedro Castillo, after he attempted to dissolve the Peruvian Congress. Her tenure concluded on 10 October 2025, when the legislature voted unanimously to remove her from power.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1962 in the village of Chalhuanca, Boluarte studied law at the University of San Martín de Porres. For fifteen years, starting in 2007, she was employed as an officer at the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status. During her professional life, she ventured into electoral politics, unsuccessfully seeking the mayoralty of the Surquillo district in 2018 and failing to secure a seat during the 2020 parliamentary elections.
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Boluarte joined the 2021 presidential ticket alongside Pedro Castillo representing the Free Peru party. Following their victory, she served as the Minister of Development and Social Inclusion from July 2021 until November 2022. During this term, she publicly distanced herself from the party's Marxist ideology, which led to her expulsion by general secretary Vladimir Cerrón. Tensions intensified in late 2022 when a subcommittee filed a constitutional complaint alleging she managed a private entity, the Apurímac Club, while serving as a cabinet minister.
Presidential Tenure and Turmoil
Upon succeeding Castillo, Boluarte appointed a technocratic government led by Pedro Angulo Arana. Her administration faced immediate civil unrest, with major protests erupting across the country. The government's use of police and military forces to quell these demonstrations resulted in numerous deaths, including those in the Juliaca and Ayacucho massacres. These actions drew international scrutiny and led the Attorney General to open investigations into potential genocide and homicide. By March 2025, her public approval rating had plummeted to 2% amidst further controversies, such as the Rolexgate bribery scandal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Chalhuanca, Peru
- Education: University of San Martín de Porres
- Political Party: Free Peru
- Minister of Development and Social Inclusion: 2021–2022
- Vice President of Peru: 2021–2022
- President of Peru: 2022–2025
- Languages: Spanish, Quechua
Questions readers ask
Was Dina Boluarte the first female president of Peru?
Yes, she became the first woman to hold the office when she was sworn in on 7 December 2022.
How did her presidency end?
She was impeached and removed from office by the Peruvian Congress on 10 October 2025, following a 122–0 vote.
Achievements
- Vice President of Peru (2021–2022)
- Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru (2021–2022)
- President of Peru (2022–2025)
- Educated at University of San Martín de Porres
