Michèle Rubirola

Michèle Rubirola (French pronunciation: [miʃɛl ʁybiʁɔla]; born 28 July 1956) is a French politician who served as Mayor of Marseille from 4 July to 15 December 2020.^[1] A member of Europe Ecology – The Greens (EELV), she succeeded Jean-Claude Gaudin, who chose not to run for reelection to a fifth term in office and instead endorsed his long-term deputy Martine Vassal,^[2] who lost the mayorship race following the municipal election in June 2020. Rubirola became the first female Mayor of Marseille.^[3]

Michèle Rubirola
Mayor of Marseille
In office 4 July 2020 – 15 December 2020
Preceded by	Jean-Claude Gaudin
Succeeded by	Benoît Payan
Personal details
Born	(1956-07-28) 28 July 1956 (age 69) Marseille, France
Political party	Europe Ecology – The Greens (2010–present)
Other political affiliations	The Greens (2002–2010)
Alma mater	Aix-Marseille University (PhD)
Occupation	Physician, politician

On 15 December 2020, she announced her resignation from the mayorship for health reasons.^[1][4] She was succeeded by First Deputy Mayor Benoît Payan of the Socialist Party, whom she succeeded as First Deputy Mayor on 21 December 2021. Rubirola previously held a seat in the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhône from 2015 to 2021, elected in the canton of Marseille-1 alongside Payan.

Her grandparents came from Catalonia and Naples.^[5] She is a physician by occupation.