Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, becomes focus of attention in Athens

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the United States ambassador to Greece, has become a prominent figure in Athens, attracting media attention for her social life and an active role in advancing American business and energy interests in the country. Her arrival was high profile — she landed on a private jet, appeared on the cover of Vogue Greece and was photographed at late-night events — and she has a well-known political and media background as a former prosecutor, Fox News host, the ex-fiancée of Donald Trump Jr.

and the former wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Some Greeks questioned her appointment, which differed from the usual career diplomats, while many others said she has worked hard and cultivated close ties to Washington. Ms. Guilfoyle has intervened visibly in commercial and energy projects: she stood with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum when Greece signed an agreement with Exxon Mobil to explore for natural gas northwest of Corfu, and she has pushed an American-backed plan to develop a new port at Elefsina as a counterweight to Chinese control of Piraeus.

She hailed the Exxon deal as "America is back and drilling in the Ionian Sea," and Greek officials described her as a "driving force" who "is not about nice talk.

Key Topics

World, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Greece, Athens, Exxon Mobil, Elefsina