Castex was born in Agadir and obtained a degree and master's degree in arts in the 1970s. In 1990 she obtained a Diploma of Advanced Studies in the Social Field (DHEPS), and the following year a Postgraduate diploma in educational science.
Early career
1981-1998: Adult and youth education adviser at the Gers Departmental Youth and Sports Directorate
1998-2000: Adviser in the office of the Chairman of the Gers Departmental Council
Adviser in the office of the Minister responsible for vocational education
2002-2004: Special adviser for educational cooperation in the Foreign Ministry
2004-2014: Member of the European Parliament (S&D)
1989-1998: Deputy Secretary-General of the Adult Education Association (SEP-FEN-UNSA)
since 1990: Member of the Socialist Party national council
Together with Liêm Hoang Ngoc, Castex was one of two sitting MEPs who were not re-nominated by the leadership of France's Socialist Party for the 2014 European elections.[1]