Spouse of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Spouse of the British Prime Minister
Incumbent
Victoria, Lady Starmer
since 5 July 2024
Residence10 Downing Street (customary)
Formation3 April 1721 (1721-04-03)
First holderCatherine, Lady Walpole (First Lady)
Denis Thatcher (First Gentleman)

The spouse of the British Prime Minister is the wife or husband of the Prime Minister. The Current holder is Victoria Starmer since 2024.

History

There have been forty-four women and three men who have been married to British prime ministers in office. There have also been four bachelor and nine widower prime ministers; the last bachelor was Edward Heath (1970–1974) and the last widower was Ramsay MacDonald (1924, 1929–1935).

The Duke of Grafton (1766–1768) is the only Prime Minister to have divorced and remarried while in office, while Boris Johnson was the only one to have a de jure spouse in Marina Wheeler, due to their separation in 2018. Johnson eventually married Carrie Johnson in 2021. They were the first unmarried couple to live in Downing Street before their marriage.

Role

The role of the British prime minister's spouse is not an official office and are not given a salary or official duties. Over time the position has evolved. Cherie Blair, have gained public attention through their own independent careers and achievements, as well as attending engagements such as the African First Ladies Summit.[1]

Living former spouses

There are currently seven living spouses of former prime ministers:

Spouse Prime Minister Tenure Date of birth Longevity
Dame Norma Major John Major 1990–1997 12 February 1942 84 years, 137 days
Cherie Blair Tony Blair 1997–2007 23 September 1954 71 years, 279 days
Sarah Brown Gordon Brown 2007–2010 31 October 1963 62 years, 241 days
Samantha Cameron David Cameron 2010–2016 18 April 1971 55 years, 72 days
Sir Philip May Theresa May 2016–2019 18 September 1957 68 years, 284 days
Marina Wheeler Boris Johnson 2019–2020 18 August 1964 61 years, 315 days
Carrie Johnson 2021–2022 17 March 1988 38 years, 104 days
Hugh O'Leary Liz Truss 2022 19 July 1974 51 years, 345 days
Akshata Murty Rishi Sunak 2022–2024 25 April 1985 41 years, 65 days

References

  1. ↑ Mwanzi, Josephat (2 July 2013). "The first ladies club: Obama and Bush share stage in Africa". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
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