Elly Schlein is an Italian politician, lawyer, and leader of the Democratic Party. Known for her progressive views, she became the first woman and youngest person to lead the party, inspiring many with her focus on equality and justice.
| Common Name | Elly Schlein |
| Full Name | Elena Ethel “Elly” Schlein |
| Age | 40 years old (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1985 |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Politician, Lawyer |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Religion | Secular |
| Place of Birth | Lugano, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Net Worth | $1.6 million |
Table of Contents
Elly Schlein Biography
Elena Ethel “Elly” Schlein, born on May 4, 1985, in Lugano, Switzerland, is a well-known Italian politician and leader of the Democratic Party (PD) since March 12, 2023. She made history by becoming the first woman and the youngest person to lead the party. Known for her progressive ideas, feminist values, and strong support for social justice, she is one of the most influential voices in Italy’s modern politics.
Elly’s Educational Background
Elly completed her early studies in Lugano, Switzerland, where she also won the Mariani Prize for her outstanding high school results. She first enrolled in arts, music, and film production at the University of Bologna, but later switched to law, graduating with honors in 2011. Her thesis focused on constitutional law, migration, and human rights in prisons.
Elly Career
Elly Schlein’s political career is both dynamic and inspiring. She began by volunteering for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, which sparked her passion for grassroots politics. In 2013, she co-founded the OccupyPD movement to push for renewal within the Democratic Party. A year later, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, where she focused on migration, transparency, gender equality, and anti-corruption. In 2015, she left the Democratic Party to join Possibile, a progressive movement.
By 2020, she became Vice President of Emilia-Romagna, earning over 22,000 votes, the highest ever for a regional councillor. In 2022, she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, and the following year, she made history by winning the Democratic Party leadership election with 54% of the votes, becoming the party’s first female and openly LGBTQ leader. In 2024, under her leadership, the party achieved 24.1% of votes in the European elections, marking its strongest result in years.
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Elly Awards
Elly Schlein has been recognized for her outstanding work in academics, politics, and social causes. Her awards highlight her dedication to excellence, justice, and progress both in Italy and internationally.
- Mariani Prize (High School) – for best student performance.
- MEP Awards 2017 – Deputy of the Year for Development Issues, honoring her dedication to global development, anti-tax evasion, and migration policies.
- Contributed to the award-winning documentary “Anija-La Nave” (David di Donatello Award, 2013).
Elly Age
Elly Schlein was born on May 4, 1985. She is 40 years old as of 2025.
Elly Religion
Elly comes from a diverse background. Her father is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, while her mother is Italian with secular, progressive values. Elly herself is not publicly tied to any particular religion but identifies more with progressive and feminist movements.
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Elly’s Personal Life
In February 2020, Elly publicly came out as bisexual. She openly describes herself as a feminist, progressive, and environmentalist. She is passionate about music and film, having played the piano and guitar from a young age, and has also worked on documentaries. Her current partner is Paola Belloni, a Cagliari-born woman.
Elly Husband
Elly Schlein is not married and does not have a husband. However, she is in a committed, long-term relationship with Paola Belloni, originally from Sardinia. Paola, a private person, asked the press to respect her privacy, calling the publication of her photos in tabloids an “unjust act” and labeling it as an outing.
Elly Children
Elly Schlein does not have any children at the moment, as she is currently focused on her political career and personal growth. She has often spoken about her dedication to public service, which remains her top priority for now.
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Elly Parents
Elly Schlein was born into an academic and politically active family. Her father, Melvin Schlein, is an American academic and political scientist of Jewish descent, while her mother, Maria Paola Viviani, is an Italian professor of comparative public law. She is also the granddaughter of Agostino Viviani, a well-known socialist politician and senator who served between 1972 and 1979. Elly grew up with two siblings, her sister Susanna, who works as a diplomat, and her brother Benjamin, who is a mathematician.
Elly Net Worth
Elly Schlein’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.6 million, primarily derived from her political career. She earns an annual salary of about €98,471, and her long service in various political roles has steadily built her financial status.
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Elly Social Media Handles
Elly is very active on social media, where she shares updates on her political work and progressive views:
- Facebook: Elly Schlein
- Instagram: @ellyesse
- YouTube: Elly Schlein.
