Daughter of the late Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, Macapagal-Arroyo graduated from Assumption College in the Philippines, holds a master`s degree in economics from Ateneo de Manila University, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of the Philippines.

After teaching economics, Macapagal-Arroyo became former President Corazon Aquino`s Undersecretary of Trade and Industry. She was elected senetor in 1992, winning reelection in 1995 in a landslide. In 1998 Macapagal-Arroyo easily won the vice-presidency. She assumed the presidency in January 2001 when street demonstrations forced Joseph Estrada, who faced serious corruption allegations, from office. She married to a lawyer.