The "Merkel-Raute" gesture began simply because she did not know what to do with her hands during photoshoots. It eventually became a famous symbol of her calm leadership.

The German word for mommy, "Mutti" began as a patronizing insult from rivals. Her supporters later embraced the nickname to highlight her comforting, stable leadership style.

Merkel earned a doctorate for her thesis on quantum chemistry. She worked as a scientist in East Berlin until the fall of the Berlin Wall inspired her to pivot to politics.

Merkel developed cynophobia after being attacked by a dog in 1995. Putin brought his black Labrador, Koni, to their meeting, which Merkel viewed as a psychological power play.