born in la plata, buenos aires province, she studied law at the university of la plata, and moved to patagonia with her husband néstor kirchner upon graduation. she was elected to the provincial legislature; her husband was elected mayor of río gallegos. she was elected national senator in 1995, and had a controversial tenure, while her husband was elected governor of santa cruz province. in 1994, she was also elected to the constituent assembly that amended the constitution of argentina. she was the first lady from 2003 to 2007 after néstor kirchner was elected president.