The arrival of Kimberly Guilfoyle as the United States Ambassador to Greece has sent ripples through the political and social circles of Athens, marking a stark departure from the traditional, low-profile diplomats the country is accustomed to. Her high-energy, socially visible approach has made her a local celebrity and a topic of intense conversation among Greek officials.
A Social Media and Paparazzi Sensation
Guilfoyle's active nightlife and high-profile appearances have turned her into an unexpected sensation. Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis revealed the extent of her impact, noting that even people who never contacted him before have started calling, curious about the new ambassador. "Everybody wants to meet her. When she came here, all my friends called me to ask me how she was in real life," Georgiadis said, as reported by The New York Times.
Paparazzi frequently follow her, especially during her post-midnight visits to nightclubs. At one social event, her exchange with Greek President Constantina Tassoulas captured her unfiltered style. When Guilfoyle mentioned a previous "fabulous honeymoon" in Greece, President Tassoulas lightly inquired, "Honeymoon was fabulous, the marriage?" Guilfoyle's quick retort was, "We’ll work on a new husband." This reference alludes to her previous marriage to California Governor Gavin Newsom before her engagement to Donald Trump Jr.
Business First: Sealing Major Deals on Her Watch
Beyond the social buzz, Guilfoyle has aggressively pursued significant economic and strategic agreements for the United States. Demonstrating that she had done her homework long before arriving, she ensured major announcements occurred shortly after her presentation of credentials.
Just five days after her arrival, she oversaw the signing of an agreement between Greece and Exxon Mobil to explore for natural gas northwest of Corfu. Ten days later, she stood between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce a deal for importing US liquefied natural gas through Greece to Ukraine, aiding its winter energy needs.
Redefining Diplomatic Protocol
Guilfoyle's methods break from diplomatic norms. She has no fixed office hours and is known to call officials at midnight if needed. She is unapologetic about her approach, linking her social visibility to her diplomatic mission. "If it brings enthusiasm and interest in America and the economy and commerce and trade and our bilateral relationship, I’m all for that," she stated.
Defending her late-night outings, she explained that one appearance was to support her friend, famous Greek pop singer Konstantinos Argiros. "It’s important to show up for your friends... I have tremendous stamina. That’s one of the things the president loves about me... I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done," Guilfoyle asserted.
Her tenure so far presents a clear contrast to career foreign service officers, blending celebrity, personal connections, and a relentless focus on delivering tangible economic results, thereby creating a new, controversial blueprint for modern diplomacy in the Greek capital.
