
Seychelles has a new First Lady, Mrs Linda Ramkalawan, and Cosmocreole was curious to know a little bit more about her, after all she will be representing the Seychellois women.
By Jeannine Gilbert-Finnigan
Her husband, the newly elected President, Mr Wavel Ramkalwan made it clear that politics was not part of her own plan — she told him that she married a priest, not a politician but simply by being herself: a wife and a mother, but also a clever, educated woman, she had a life outside politics and carved a successful career for herself.
When we asked people about their first impression of the First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, there was no hesitation about how beautiful and calm she looks, and we think so too. What else did we find out about Mrs Ramkalawan?
First and foremost, she is the mother of three boys. Before Mrs Ramkalawan was a mother — or wife to the President of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan — she came from a very modest family and grew up in Bel Ombre with her sister and brother.
Mrs Ramkalawan has had a long and successful career in the tourism industry. She joined Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove hotel straight after completing her studies in 1980, occupying the post of receptionist. She later moved to the accounts department and occupied different positions in accounts over the years. In 2001, she was appointed Financial Controller and a few years later as the Finance Director.

Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove was part of the Starwood hotels and resorts, an American hotel and leisure company based in Connecticut in the US, and Mrs Ramkalawan won the Starwood President Award twice during the course of her career with them. The Starwood President Award was an annual award the company bestows upon members in recognition of their passion for their work and their commitment to their employees. In late 2019, after almost 40 years at Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove hotel (now part of the Marriott International) Mrs Ramkalawan retired.
As our First Lady, we are hoping that Mrs Ramkawalan will be a role model to other Seychellois women in Seychelles and beyond. We at Cosmocreole, wish Mrs Ramkawalan a successful journey as Seychelles First Lady.
Photo Credit : Paradise Media
As a Seychellois woman, political affiliation aside, tell us what kind of projects would you like to see the First Lady getting involved in?