Segolene Royal is set to face off with right-wing Nicolas Sarkozy in the second round of the French presidential poll. If elected, she would become the first woman French head of state in history. Following is a brief introduction to her life and career.

Royal, nicknamed "Sego," was born on Sept. 22, 1953 in Dakar, Senegal. She is the candidate of the left-wing Socialist Party.

Royal is president of the Poitou-Charentes region and a member of the National Assembly.

She graduated from the elite Ecole rationale Administration where many French leaders received education, and was a classmate of Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Royal emerged from obscurity in the Socialist Party and won nomination of her candidacy, defeating party heavyweights.

Royal served as environment minister and held several other ministerial portfolios and was elected president of the of the Poitou-Charentes region in March 2004.

As a left-wing politician, Royal promised increases in minimum wage, state pension and more protection in the jobless.

Royal has been the private-life partner of Socialist leader Francois Hollande. They have four children.

Source: Xinhua