Spouses of the Prime Ministers of Canada
Encyclopedia
The spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada is the wife or husband of the Prime Minister of Canada
. To date, 18 women have been the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada; Kim Campbell
, Canada's only female prime minister to date, was unmarried during her time in office. As a public figure, some spouses will, from time to time, participate in various ceremonial, diplomatic, or partisan activities, alongside and on behalf of the prime minister.
Some commentators have tried to style prime minister's wives as "First Lady of Canada", similar to the style of First Lady
used in republics, but this is not a recognized title. Use of the term is based on the pervasive influence of American media and not a defined public role or title for the prime minister's spouse. In any case, both the spouse of the Canadian monarch and that of the Governor General of Canada
take precedence over a prime minister's spouse, rendering the notion untenable.
The current spouse of the prime minister is Laureen Harper
, wife of Stephen Harper
, who became prime minister on February 6, 2006.
; thus, his or her spouse does not officially play as active a role in Canadian affairs as the royal and viceregal consorts. The prime minister's spouse, however, is still generally regarded as a public figure, frequently accompanying the prime minister on campaign and other public appearances, and often hosting dignitaries at the prime minister's residence
.
At times, prime ministers' spouses have used their public status to promote charitable causes; Mila Mulroney
was a spokesperson for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other children's charities, Aline Chrétien
was an active campaigner for literacy programs, and Laureen Harper
is known for her support of animal welfare
organizations such as the Ottawa Humane Society
. Conversely, other prime ministers' spouses, including Geills Turner
and Sheila Martin
, were uncomfortable with the public aspects of their role and tried to minimize their time in the press spotlight.
However, many have also held an unofficial but highly influential role as a political or campaign advisor to their husbands — both Mila Mulroney and Laureen Harper were considered their husbands' "secret weapons", whose instinctive sense of campaign optics proved invaluable to their husbands' careers; Harper, for example, was credited as the brains behind a public appearance in which her husband, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
, appeared on stage at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
to sing The Beatles
' "With a Little Help from My Friends
", which was widely perceived as softening the Prime Minister's somewhat stiff and autocratic public image. Despite her relatively low public profile, Aline Chrétien was also recognized as a powerful advisor to her husband; Maclean's
magazine once wrote, "Never mind calling her the power behind the throne
—she shares the seat of power", and columnist Allan Fotheringham
later called her the second most powerful political figure in Canada, behind her husband but ahead of any elected Member of Parliament or any staffer in the PMO
.
Some prime ministers' spouses have also attracted attention for other reasons. Maryon Pearson
was noted for her prickly wit, having made a number of famous quips which are still regularly featured in anthologies of famous quotation
s. Margaret Trudeau
, whom Pierre Trudeau
married while in office, became a notable celebrity in her own right, most famously when she was featured on the covers of international tabloids after being seen partying at Studio 54
. Maureen McTeer
, spouse of Joe Clark
, attracted controversy when she became the first spouse of a prime minister to retain her own surname after marriage. Mila Mulroney also rose to some notoriety due to her spending habits, and was satirized in Frank
as Imelda
because of her purportedly large collection of shoes.
and R.B. Bennett. Mackenzie Bowell
, a widower whose wife, Harriet, died in 1884, was also not married during his term in office. Pierre Trudeau began his term as a bachelor, became the first Canadian prime minister to get married while in office and ended it as Canada's first divorce
d prime minister.
Three Canadian prime ministers—John A. Macdonald
, Alexander Mackenzie
, and John Diefenbaker
—were widowers, who were each married to their second wives during their terms as prime minister. Macdonald's first wife was Isabella Clark
, Mackenzie's was Helen Neil, and Diefenbaker's was Edna Brower.
Canada has also had one female prime minister, Kim Campbell
; however, as she had finalized her divorce from her second husband, Howard Eddy, in early 1993, there has never been a male spouse of the prime minister. Campbell's first husband, Nathan Divinsky
, did try to attract media attention in 1993 by billing himself as the ex-husband of the prime minister. She briefly dated Gregory Lekhtman
, the inventor of Exerlopers, during her term as prime minister, but kept the relationship relatively private and did not involve him in the election campaign
. In 1997, she entered into a common-law marriage
with Hershey Felder
.
Maureen McTeer
is the only spouse not to have been a housewife, and maintained a career both during and after their life at 24 Sussex.
(*)The Trudeaus separated in 1977 but did not obtain a divorce until 2 April, 1984. Trudeau left office in June 1984, two months after his divorce was finalized.
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
. To date, 18 women have been the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada; Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell
Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
, Canada's only female prime minister to date, was unmarried during her time in office. As a public figure, some spouses will, from time to time, participate in various ceremonial, diplomatic, or partisan activities, alongside and on behalf of the prime minister.
Some commentators have tried to style prime minister's wives as "First Lady of Canada", similar to the style of First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
used in republics, but this is not a recognized title. Use of the term is based on the pervasive influence of American media and not a defined public role or title for the prime minister's spouse. In any case, both the spouse of the Canadian monarch and that of the Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
take precedence over a prime minister's spouse, rendering the notion untenable.
The current spouse of the prime minister is Laureen Harper
Laureen Harper
Laureen Ann Harper is the wife of Canada's 22nd Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Life and career:The eldest of three, Teskey was born in Turner Valley, a rural town south-west of Calgary, Alberta. Her parents were ranchers and owned an electrical contracting company; the Teskeys divorced in 1991,...
, wife of Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, who became prime minister on February 6, 2006.
Public role
The prime minister is not the head of stateHead of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
; thus, his or her spouse does not officially play as active a role in Canadian affairs as the royal and viceregal consorts. The prime minister's spouse, however, is still generally regarded as a public figure, frequently accompanying the prime minister on campaign and other public appearances, and often hosting dignitaries at the prime minister's residence
24 Sussex Drive
24 Sussex Drive is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada, located in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario. Built between 1866 and 1868 by Joseph Merrill Currier, it has been the official home of the Canadian prime minister since 1951.-History:The house at 24 Sussex...
.
At times, prime ministers' spouses have used their public status to promote charitable causes; Mila Mulroney
Mila Mulroney
Milica "Mila" Mulroney , is the wife of the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney. They have one daughter, Caroline, and three sons, Benedict, Mark, and Nicholas...
was a spokesperson for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other children's charities, Aline Chrétien
Aline Chrétien
Aline Chrétien is the wife of Canada's twentieth Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien.Born Aline Chaîné in Saint-Boniface-de-Shawinigan, Quebec, she married lawyer Jean Chrétien on September 10, 1957...
was an active campaigner for literacy programs, and Laureen Harper
Laureen Harper
Laureen Ann Harper is the wife of Canada's 22nd Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Life and career:The eldest of three, Teskey was born in Turner Valley, a rural town south-west of Calgary, Alberta. Her parents were ranchers and owned an electrical contracting company; the Teskeys divorced in 1991,...
is known for her support of animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
organizations such as the Ottawa Humane Society
Ottawa Humane Society
The Ottawa Humane Society is the humane society for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.-Background:The Ottawa Humane Society is a non-profit organization, community-based organization and a registered charitable organization, Charity Registration Number: # 123264715 RR0001...
. Conversely, other prime ministers' spouses, including Geills Turner
Geills Turner
Geills McCrae Kilgour Turner is the wife of John Napier Turner, a former Prime Minister of Canada...
and Sheila Martin
Sheila Martin
Sheila Ann Martin née Cowan is the wife of Paul Martin, who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from December 12, 2003 to February 6, 2006....
, were uncomfortable with the public aspects of their role and tried to minimize their time in the press spotlight.
However, many have also held an unofficial but highly influential role as a political or campaign advisor to their husbands — both Mila Mulroney and Laureen Harper were considered their husbands' "secret weapons", whose instinctive sense of campaign optics proved invaluable to their husbands' careers; Harper, for example, was credited as the brains behind a public appearance in which her husband, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, appeared on stage at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a centre for the performing arts located in Ottawa, Ontario, between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal...
to sing The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "With a Little Help from My Friends
With a Little Help from My Friends
-Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction...
", which was widely perceived as softening the Prime Minister's somewhat stiff and autocratic public image. Despite her relatively low public profile, Aline Chrétien was also recognized as a powerful advisor to her husband; Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
magazine once wrote, "Never mind calling her the power behind the throne
Power behind the throne
The phrase power behind the throne refers to a person or group that informally exercises the real power of an office. In politics, it most commonly refers to a spouse, aide, or advisor of a political leader who serves as de facto leader, setting policy through influence or manipulation.The...
—she shares the seat of power", and columnist Allan Fotheringham
Allan Fotheringham
Allan Fotheringham is a Canadian newspaper and magazine journalist. He is widely known by the nickname Dr. Foth and styles himself as, "Always controversial... never at a loss for words" and also as "the Great Gatheringfroth".-Life:Fotheringham attended Chilliwack Secondary School, where he was...
later called her the second most powerful political figure in Canada, behind her husband but ahead of any elected Member of Parliament or any staffer in the PMO
Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)
In Canada, the Office of the Prime Minister , located in the Langevin Block, on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, is one of the most powerful parts of the government. It is made up of the prime minister and his or her top political staff, who are charged with advising the prime minister on decisions,...
.
Some prime ministers' spouses have also attracted attention for other reasons. Maryon Pearson
Maryon Pearson
Maryon Elspeth Pearson, née Moody was the wife of Lester Bowles Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada.Maryon and Lester Pearson married on August 22, 1925. They met at the University of Toronto, where he was a teacher and she was a student.Maryon Pearson was also known for her sharp tongued wit...
was noted for her prickly wit, having made a number of famous quips which are still regularly featured in anthologies of famous quotation
Quotation
A quotation or quote is the repetition of one expression as part of another one, particularly when the quoted expression is well-known or explicitly attributed by citation to its original source, and it is indicated by quotation marks.A quotation can also refer to the repeated use of units of any...
s. Margaret Trudeau
Margaret Trudeau
Margaret Joan Sinclair Trudeau Kemper is the former wife of the late Pierre Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.-Early years and marriage:...
, whom Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
married while in office, became a notable celebrity in her own right, most famously when she was featured on the covers of international tabloids after being seen partying at Studio 54
Studio 54
Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it...
. Maureen McTeer
Maureen McTeer
Maureen Anne McTeer is a Canadian author and a lawyer, married to Joe Clark, the 16th Prime Minister of Canada.-Life and career:...
, spouse of Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
, attracted controversy when she became the first spouse of a prime minister to retain her own surname after marriage. Mila Mulroney also rose to some notoriety due to her spending habits, and was satirized in Frank
Frank (magazine)
Frank is a bi-weekly Canadian scandal or satirical magazine published since 1987 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.A separate publication in Ottawa, Ontario, of the same name was published from 1989 to 2004 and then revived from 2005 to 2008...
as Imelda
Imelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
because of her purportedly large collection of shoes.
Other notes
Canada has had two prime ministers who were bachelors, William Lyon Mackenzie KingWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
and R.B. Bennett. Mackenzie Bowell
Mackenzie Bowell
Sir Mackenzie Bowell, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896.-Early life:Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, England to John Bowell and Elizabeth Marshall...
, a widower whose wife, Harriet, died in 1884, was also not married during his term in office. Pierre Trudeau began his term as a bachelor, became the first Canadian prime minister to get married while in office and ended it as Canada's first divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d prime minister.
Three Canadian prime ministers—John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
, Alexander Mackenzie
Alexander Mackenzie
Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:...
, and John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
—were widowers, who were each married to their second wives during their terms as prime minister. Macdonald's first wife was Isabella Clark
Isabella Clark
Isabella Macdonald, née Clark was the first wife of John A. Macdonald, the premier of the Province of Canada in 1856. She was Macdonald's first cousin....
, Mackenzie's was Helen Neil, and Diefenbaker's was Edna Brower.
Canada has also had one female prime minister, Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell
Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
; however, as she had finalized her divorce from her second husband, Howard Eddy, in early 1993, there has never been a male spouse of the prime minister. Campbell's first husband, Nathan Divinsky
Nathan Divinsky
Nathan Joseph Divinsky is a Canadian mathematician, chess master, and chess writer, who is also known for being the former husband of the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, Kim Campbell. Divinsky and Campbell were married from 1972 to 1983....
, did try to attract media attention in 1993 by billing himself as the ex-husband of the prime minister. She briefly dated Gregory Lekhtman
Gregory Lekhtman
Gregory Lekhtman is a Canadian inventor and entrepreneur, who created and markets the Exerloper system of exercise boots. He immigrated to Canada in 1974, and resides in Montreal....
, the inventor of Exerlopers, during her term as prime minister, but kept the relationship relatively private and did not involve him in the election campaign
Canadian federal election, 1993
The Canadian federal election of 1993 was held on October 25 of that year to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Fourteen parties competed for the 295 seats in the House at that time...
. In 1997, she entered into a common-law marriage
Common-law marriage
Common-law marriage, sometimes called sui juris marriage, informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute, is a form of interpersonal status that is legally recognized in limited jurisdictions as a marriage even though no legally recognized marriage ceremony is performed or civil marriage...
with Hershey Felder
Hershey Felder
Hershey Felder is a Canadian pianist, actor, playwright, composer, and producer. He created the role of American composer George Gershwin for the theatrical stage in the stage play George Gershwin Alone...
.
Maureen McTeer
Maureen McTeer
Maureen Anne McTeer is a Canadian author and a lawyer, married to Joe Clark, the 16th Prime Minister of Canada.-Life and career:...
is the only spouse not to have been a housewife, and maintained a career both during and after their life at 24 Sussex.
Spouses of the prime ministers
| Name | Date of birth | Date of marriage | Prime Minister (Spouse) |
Date tenure began | Date tenure ended | Date of death (age) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Agnes Macdonald (née Bernard) |
August 24, 1836 | February 16, 1867 | Sir John A. Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century... |
July 1, 1867 | November 5, 1873 | |
| 2 |  |
Jane Mackenzie Jane Mackenzie Jane Sym Mackenzie was the second wife of Alexander Mackenzie, the second Prime Minister of Canada.... (née Sym) |
March 22, 1825 | June 17, 1853 | Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:... |
November 7, 1873 | October 8, 1878 | |
| (1) | |
Agnes Macdonald (née Bernard) |
August 24, 1836 | February 16, 1867 | Sir John A. Macdonald | October 17, 1878 | June 6, 1891 | |
| 3 | Lady Mary Bethune Abbott (née Bethune) |
1823 | 1849 | Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott | June 16, 1891 | November 24, 1892 | 1898 (74-75 years) | |
| 4 |  |
Lady Annie Thompson Annie Thompson Annie Emma, Lady Thompson was the wife of Sir John Thompson, the fourth Prime Minister of Canada.... (née Affleck) |
June 26, 1845 | 1870 | Sir John Sparrow David Thompson | December 5, 1892 | December 12, 1894 | |
| none (widower) | Sir Mackenzie Bowell Mackenzie Bowell Sir Mackenzie Bowell, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896.-Early life:Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, England to John Bowell and Elizabeth Marshall... |
December 21, 1894 | April 27, 1896 | |||||
| 5 |  |
Lady Frances Tupper Frances Tupper Frances Amélia, Lady Tupper was the wife of Sir Charles Tupper, the sixth Prime Minister of Canada. They had six children together, three boys and three girls. Two of their sons, Charles Hibbert Tupper and William Johnston Tupper, also had careers in politics... (née Morse) |
1826 | Sir Charles Tupper Charles Tupper Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet, GCMG, CB, PC was a Canadian father of Confederation: as the Premier of Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1867, he led Nova Scotia into Confederation. He later went on to serve as the sixth Prime Minister of Canada, sworn in to office on May 1, 1896, seven days after... |
May 1, 1896 | July 8, 1896 | (85-86 years) | |
| 6 | Lady Zoé Laurier Zoé Laurier Zoé Lafontaine, Lady Laurier was the wife of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada. They married at Marie-Reine-du Monde, Montreal, Quebec on August 13, 1868. The union was childless. She died, aged 79, in 1921.A lounge in the Château Laurier was named in her honour. She was... (née Lafontaine) |
June 26, 1842 | August 13, 1868 | Sir Wilfrid Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911.... |
July 11, 1896 | October 7, 1911 | ||
| 7 |  |
Lady Laura Borden Laura Borden Laura, Lady Borden was the wife of Sir Robert Laird Borden, the eighth Prime Minister of Canada.She was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to a local hardware merchant and married Borden on September 25, 1889.... (née Bond) |
1862 | September 25, 1889 | Sir Robert Laird Borden | October 10, 1911 | July 10, 1920 | (77-78 years) |
| 8 | Isabel Meighen Isabel Meighen Isabel Meighen, née Jessie Isabel Cox was the wife of Arthur Meighen, the ninth Prime Minister of Canada.She was born in Granby, Quebec... (née Cox) |
April 18, 1883 | 1904 | Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding... |
July 10, 1920 | December 29, 1921 | ||
| none (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948... |
December 29, 1921 | June 29, 1926 | |||||
| (8) | Isabel Meighen (née Cox) |
April 18, 1883 | 1904 | Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding... |
June 29, 1926 | November 25, 1926 | ||
| none (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King | November 25, 1926 | August 7, 1930 | |||||
| none (never married) | R.B. Bennett | August 7, 1930 | October 23, 1935 | |||||
| none (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King | October 23, 1935 | November 15, 1948 | |||||
| 9 | Jeanne St. Laurent Jeanne St. Laurent Jeanne Renault Saint-Laurent was the wife of Louis St. Laurent, the 12th Prime Minister of Canada. She was born in Beauceville, Quebec. Her parents were Pierre-Ferdinand Renault and Amanda Montminy... (née Renault) |
1887 | 1905 | Louis Stephen St. Laurent | November 15, 1948 | June 21, 1957 | (78-79 years) | |
| 10 | Olive Diefenbaker Olive Diefenbaker Olive Evangeline Freeman Palmer Diefenbaker was the second wife of John George Diefenbaker, the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.... (née Palmer) |
1902 | December 8, 1953 | John George Diefenbaker | June 21, 1957 | April 22, 1963 | (73-74 years) | |
| 11 | Maryon Pearson Maryon Pearson Maryon Elspeth Pearson, née Moody was the wife of Lester Bowles Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada.Maryon and Lester Pearson married on August 22, 1925. They met at the University of Toronto, where he was a teacher and she was a student.Maryon Pearson was also known for her sharp tongued wit... (née Moody) |
1901 | August 22, 1925 | Lester B. Pearson Lester B. Pearson Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC, OM, CC, OBE was a Canadian professor, historian, civil servant, statesman, diplomat, and politician, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis... |
April 22, 1963 | April 20, 1968 | (87-88 years) | |
| none (unmarried as of 1968; married in office) | Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,... |
April 20, 1968 | March 4, 1971 | |||||
| 12 | Margaret Trudeau Margaret Trudeau Margaret Joan Sinclair Trudeau Kemper is the former wife of the late Pierre Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.-Early years and marriage:... (née Sinclair) |
September 10, 1948 | March 4, 1971 | Pierre Trudeau | March 4, 1971 | 1977* | Living | |
| none (separated) de facto Margaret Trudeau | Pierre Trudeau | 1977 | June 4, 1979* | |||||
| 13 | Maureen McTeer Maureen McTeer Maureen Anne McTeer is a Canadian author and a lawyer, married to Joe Clark, the 16th Prime Minister of Canada.-Life and career:... |
September 27, 1952 | 1973 | Joe Clark Joe Clark Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician... |
June 4, 1979 | March 2, 1980 | Living | |
| none (separated) de facto Margaret Trudeau | Pierre Trudeau | March 2, 1980 | April 2, 1984* | |||||
| none (divorced) | Pierre Trudeau | April 2, 1984 | June 30, 1984* | |||||
| 14 | Geills Turner Geills Turner Geills McCrae Kilgour Turner is the wife of John Napier Turner, a former Prime Minister of Canada... (née Kilgour) |
December 23, 1937 | May 11, 1963 | John Turner John Turner John Napier Wyndham Turner, PC, CC, QC is an English Canadian lawyer and retired politician, who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada from June 30 to September 17, 1984.... |
June 30, 1984 | September 17, 1984 | Living | |
| 15 | Mila Mulroney Mila Mulroney Milica "Mila" Mulroney , is the wife of the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney. They have one daughter, Caroline, and three sons, Benedict, Mark, and Nicholas... (née Pivnički) |
July 13, 1953 | May 26, 1973 | Brian Mulroney Brian Mulroney Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S... |
September 17, 1984 | June 25, 1993 | Living | |
| none (divorced twice, remarried after term ended) | Kim Campbell Kim Campbell Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993... |
June 25, 1993 | November 4, 1993 | |||||
| 16 | Aline Chrétien Aline Chrétien Aline Chrétien is the wife of Canada's twentieth Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien.Born Aline Chaîné in Saint-Boniface-de-Shawinigan, Quebec, she married lawyer Jean Chrétien on September 10, 1957... (née Chaîné) |
May 14, 1936 | September 10, 1957 | Jean Chrétien Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003.... |
November 4, 1993 | December 12, 2003 | Living | |
| 17 | Sheila Martin Sheila Martin Sheila Ann Martin née Cowan is the wife of Paul Martin, who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from December 12, 2003 to February 6, 2006.... (née Cowan) |
July 31, 1943 | 1965 | Paul Martin Paul Martin Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.... |
December 12, 2003 | February 6, 2006 | Living | |
| 18 | Laureen Harper Laureen Harper Laureen Ann Harper is the wife of Canada's 22nd Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Life and career:The eldest of three, Teskey was born in Turner Valley, a rural town south-west of Calgary, Alberta. Her parents were ranchers and owned an electrical contracting company; the Teskeys divorced in 1991,... (née Teskey) |
June 1963 | 1993 | Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election... |
February 6, 2006 | Present | Living (48 years) | |
(*)The Trudeaus separated in 1977 but did not obtain a divorce until 2 April, 1984. Trudeau left office in June 1984, two months after his divorce was finalized.
See also
- List of royal consorts of Canada
- Viceregal consort of CanadaViceregal consort of CanadaThe viceregal consort of Canada is the spouse of the serving governor general of Canada, assisting the viceroy with ceremonial and charitable work, accompanying him or her to official state occasions, and occasionally undertaking philanthropic work of their own...