Maud Olofsson was born in Arnäsvall, and grew up in Högbyn, in Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Västernorrland.

She started her political career as an ombudsman of the youth organisation of the Centre Party in 1974, and served as a member of the local council in Luleå from 1976.

From 1992 to 1994, during the Carl Bildt centre-right government, she worked as Special Adviser to Minister Börje Hörnlund at the Department of Labour.

Olofsson modernised the party, making it more open to the European Union and market liberalism.

[4][5] Olofsson announced her intent to step down as party leader on 17 June 2011 and was succeeded by Annie Lööf on 23 September 2011.