Marie Schlei (née: Stabenow; 26 November 1919 – 21 May 1983) was a German politician and a member of Social Democratic Party (SPD).

She served as minister of economic cooperation from 1976 to 1978, being the first female head of the ministry.

[5][6] Schlei was appointed minister of economic cooperation to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Helmut Schmidt on 15 December 1976, replacing Egon Bahr in the post.

[5][8] She married in 1940, and her husband died in 1943 while fighting in World War II.

[2][4] In 1984, the Marie Schlei Association was founded in Hamburg for her memory to help women in Africa, Asia and Latin America.