Matthias Diependaele was born (1979) in Sint-Niklaas and raised in Zottegem.
In 2006, he successfully completed his university studies in Leuven as a Licentiate in Law, specialising in international and European law. He gained his first professional work experience as a political assistant to the European Parliament Member Frieda Brepoels.
In 2009, Matthias Diependaele, then 29, was elected to the Flemish Parliament. In 2013, he became a political group leader. He headed the N-VA group once again after the 2014 elections, taking this position up for the N-VA list in East Flanders once more in the 2019 elections. After these elections, he was appointed Flemish Minister for the first time and was responsible for the Finance and Budget, Housing, and Immovable Heritage portfolios.
Matthias was appointed Flemish formateur in June 2024 and on 30 September 2024 he took the oath as Minister-President of the Government of Flanders and as Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalisation, and Facility Management.
