Ellen Gracie Northfleet

Her Excellency Ellen Gracie Northfleet
Ellen Gracie during a session of STF in 2006
Justice of the Supreme Federal Court
In office 14 December 2000[1] – 8 August 2011
Appointed by	Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Preceded by	Octavio Gallotti[1]
Succeeded by	Rosa Weber[2]
52nd President of the Supreme Federal Court
In office 30 March 2006 – 24 April 2008
Vice President	Gilmar Mendes
Preceded by	Nelson Jobim
Succeeded by	Gilmar Mendes
Personal details
Born	(1948-02-16) 16 February 1948 (age 76) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Alma mater	Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Other judicial positions 2008–2011: Substitute Justice, Superior Electoral Court 2006–2008: President, National Justice Council 2004–2006: Vice President, National Justice Council 2004–2006: Vice President, Supreme Federal Court 2003–2005: Vice President, Superior Electoral Court 2001–2005: Effective Justice, Superior Electoral Court 2000–2001: Substitute Justice, Superior Electoral Court

Ellen Gracie Northfleet (Portuguese: [ˈɛlẽj ˈɡɾejsi nɔʁtʃˈflitʃ]; born 16 February 1948) is a Brazilian judge. She is the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Brazil^[3] and the Court's first female president.

On 8 August 2011, she retired from the Court, 7 years before the full extension that would go until 70 years old.^[4]

There was no formal announcement of her decision to retire and no formal ceremony at her departure.^[5][6][7]

After her departure the Brazilian Association of Federal Judges published a public statement requesting that a representative of the Federal Magistrature be appointed for her position. Ellen Gracie was not a career magistrate since she did not write the exams to become a Federal Judge, as is the case for members of the Federal Magistrature. She was nominated for the position by then Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso.^[8]