1. Elena Kountoura is a Greek politician, Member of the European Parliament, ex-Minister of Tourism in the Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras, and Member of Parliament for Athens A, for the Independent Greeks, and earlier for New Democracy.
13 Facts About Elena Kountoura
1. 2.
Elena Kountoura was born in Athens and is the daughter of the former Hellenic Army officer and monarchist Alexandros Kountouras.
3.
Elena Kountoura's father is co-founder and ongoing leader of BEO, the title of which was changed in the Metapolitefsi for legal reasons.
4.
Elena Kountoura's father enrolled her in the National Gymnastic Academy of Greece at the age of twelve as a high-jumper in training.
5.
Elena Kountoura is a graduate of the National Gymnastic Academy and of the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
6.
Elena Kountoura collaborated for many years with Serge Lutens, a well-known French photographer, designer and producer in the world of fashion, while having the good fortune to collaborate with the Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido, and is the model most recognized as spokesperson for that brand, and whose face was published in international campaigns.
7.
In November 2011, Elena returned to parliament when Dimitris Avramopoulos vacated his parliamentary seat to become a minister in the government of Lucas Papademos.
8.
Elena Kountoura was then elected to the European Parliament on the Syriza ticket at the 2019 election.
9.
Elena Kountoura is married to former Panellinios and Olympiacos basketball player Sarantis Papachristopoulos, her second husband.
10.
Elena Kountoura is a noted philanthropist, having served as a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO, UNICEF.
11.
Elena Kountoura founded her own philanthropic organization Europa Donna Hellas, capitalising on her fame as a model and their publishing connections to bring attention to various causes, in cooperation with her husband, capitalising on his ongoing editorial positions.
12.
Elena Kountoura speaks English, French and Spanish in addition to her native Greek.
13.
Elena Kountoura is still an agency-represented model, currently with Stars Model Management based in San Francisco.