Madame Ban Soon-taek (Yoo Soon-taek) was born in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, Korea, on 10 January 1945. In 1962, she graduated Chungju Girls’ High School with honours and as President of her class. Madame Ban furthered her academic studies at ChungAng University in Seoul, Korea, where she majored in Library and Information Science. After graduation, Madame Ban worked as a Librarian at ChungAng University. Madame Ban and Ban Ki-moon wed on 20 March 1971 in Seoul, Korea - they have three children. Madame Ban’s special interests include children's education and welfare, autism awareness and research, HIV/AIDS, the elimination of violence against women, and other issues concerning women's development and health.