To date, there have been forty-six women and three men who have been married to the British prime minister 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 (1768–1770) and

Boris Johnson Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (; born 19 June 1964) is a British politician, writer and journalist who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as ...

(2019–2022) are the only prime ministers to have divorced and remarried while in office. Current prime minister

Rishi Sunak Rishi Sunak (; born 12 May 1980) is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since October 2022. He previously held two cabinet positions under Boris Johnson, lastly as ...

has been married to

Akshata Murty Akshata Narayan Murty (; born April 1980) is an Indian heiress, businesswoman, fashion designer and venture capitalist. She is married to Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Conservative Party. According ...

since 2009.

Role and duties

The role of the British prime minister's spouse is not an official one, and as such, they are not given a salary or official duties. Over time the position has evolved, and spouses such as

Cherie Blair Cherie, Lady Blair, (; born 23 September 1954), also known professionally as Cherie Booth, is an English barrister and writer. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Tony Blair. Early life and education Boot ...

have gained public attention through their own independent careers and achievements, as well as attending engagements such as the African First Ladies Summit. Cherie Blair, with

Cate Haste Catherine Haste, Lady Bragg (6 August 1945 – 29 April 2021) was an English author, biographer, historian and documentary film director, who worked freelance for major television networks in the UK and US over a period of 40 years. Television ...

, wrote a book about recent prime ministerial spouses, ''The Goldfish Bowl: Married to the Prime Minister, 1955–1997'', in 2005.

List of spouses

Notes

References

{{First Ladies and Gentlemen *

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...

Role and duties

List of spouses

See also

Notes

References