Canada is now without a “first lady” following Sophie Grégoire Trudeau’s announcement of her marital separation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While Ms. Grégoire Trudeau may be leaving what has been an unofficial role at Rideau Cottage, at least compared to the role of FLOTUS in the United States, there is no question that the spouses of Canadian prime ministers receive a substantial share of the limelight.
Spouses of prime ministers typically accompany the Canadian leader on public appearances, charity events, and diplomatic occasions, and act as hostesses to dignitaries visiting the official residences. None have superior standing to the spouses of the reigning British monarch or the governor general, however, as the prime minister is not the head of state. Still, the increased visibility leads to many prime ministers’ wives using their newfound fame and position to promote charitable endeavours.
For example, Mila Mulroney, wife of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, advocated for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and various children’s charities. Jean Chretièn’s wife Aline campaigned for literacy programs, and Stephen Harper’s wife Laureen worked to promote the Ottawa Humane Society.
Ms. Grégoire Trudeau has spoken on women’s issues, including eating disorders, candidly sharing about her struggle with bulimia starting at the age of 17. She also joined her mother-in-law Margaret Trudeau on a high-profile charitable mission to Ethiopia in 2006, as part of an organization to help build water wells in parts of Africa.
The Pearsons
Lester Bowles Pearson, the 14th prime minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968, was a former historian, diplomat, and Nobel Peace Prize winner.His wife, Maryon Pearson, was frequently in the public eye and photographed at her husband’s side. She took part in an undated video interview, in black and white film roughly some 60 years ago, talking about her furnishings, the couple’s house, and choice of artwork. The previously mundane, light conversation turned to how Mrs. Pearson felt about her husband’s new role. Mrs. Pearson, whose father was a doctor and mother was a superintendent at a nurses’ hospital, replied that her husband’s job as prime minister had changed her life.
“One is more in the public eye than ever. And of course, there’s lots of problems that don’t arise in a private household,” she said. “I rather like the quieter life. I don’t mind doing my own cooking, but you can’t do that in the prime minister’s house,” she added, laughing.
She described their home before her husband became prime minister as having no telephone, no household help, and being “very peaceful.” Mrs. Pearson said that while she liked meeting people, “What I don’t like is the publicity and TV interviews.”
A Toronto Star article on Dec. 18, 1989, headlined “Maryon Pearson spoke her mind,” described her as formidable, with a sharp tongue. In an Ottawa Citizen article dated Dec. 28, 1989, Mrs. Pearson was described as “the smartest prime ministerial wife.”
The Trudeaus of the Past
Mr. Trudeau’s father, the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who served as prime minister from 1968 to 1979, and again from 1980 to 1984, was 51 when he married his much younger wife, Margaret, at the age of 22.The Trudeau seniors were very much in the news in their day. Ms. Margaret Trudeau, once called “First Lady Wild Child” in Harper’s Bazaar magazine, was known to have danced at Studio 54 and hung out with the Rolling Stones.
She described herself as fresh out of university, “a flower child ... free-thinking for my time.” She described being raised by a single mother, with all sisters as siblings, as “very liberated” and independent.
“I called 24 Sussex the crown jewel of the federal penitentiary system,” she confided to a reporter.
Joe Clark and Maureen McTeer
Maureen McTeer, the wife of Progressive Conservative Leader Joe Clark who was elected as Canada’s 16th prime minister, maintained her practice as a lawyer while her husband served from 1979 to 1980. It was Mr. Clark who defeated the Liberal government of Pierre Trudeau in the 1979 election, ending 16 years of Liberal rule, although his tenure was only to last less than a year.Mrs. McTeer was described as “not the typical political spouse.” She was known as a mother, a feminist who wouldn’t take her husband’s name, and an author, having titled her book “In My Own Name.” She was described as strident and aggressive, but also as her husband’s most loyal supporter and political asset.
The Turners
Geils Turner, the wife of former Prime Minister John Turner who only held the office for a few months, studied math and physics at McGill University, and later studied business administration at Harvard Business School.During her husband’s short tenure as prime minister, she mostly stayed out of the spotlight.
The Mulroneys
Mr. Mulroney, a labour lawyer, was married to Mila Pivnički Mulroney, the daughter of a Serbian-Canadian psychiatrist. Mrs. Mulroney was described as a “hard-driving perfectionist” who made a career out of supporting her husband by the Chicago Tribune in May 1992. By all accounts, she loved shopping and a high fashion wardrobe, took fastidious care with her appearance and her weight, and described clothes as “a badge of belonging.”
She only gave a few interviews as the wife of a sitting prime minister, but the mother of four described spending over $400,000 redecorating the official residences and famously carried a $1,000 Chanel handbag when she went to a Group of Seven leadership summit on economics with her husband.
Mrs. Mulroney did not describe herself as a feminist, emphasizing her role as a wife and mother. She was known for being Prime Minister Mulroney’s closest adviser, sharing his ambitious political plans.
In her unofficial position as “first lady,” Mrs. Mulroney generated controversy over the taxpayer-funded, four-office suite she maintained on Parliament Hill, with a staff of three. She also delivered speeches and received mail on immigration issues, reportedly immersed in the political dealings of her husband’s role.
Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell, Canada’s only female prime minister, was not married while in office. She was previously married twice, with her first marriage in 1972 to Nathan Divinsky ending in 1983, and her second marriage to Howard Eddy in 1986 ending shortly before she became prime minister.
The Chrétiens
Aline Chrétien was another very private political spouse. She was rarely interviewed, but former prime minister Jean Chrétien called her his most trusted adviser and his “rock of Gibraltar.” She was known for being intelligent, of sharp wit, and avoiding the spotlight. In 1994, she told Maclean’s that if she had not married the prime minister, “no one would have seen me, ever.”
“I like people, but I don’t like to be out in front,” she said, and that was especially true when it came to shielding her children, daughter France, son Hubert, and adopted son Michel, from the spotlight.
She passed away in 2020.
The Martins
Paul Martin, who succeeded Mr. Chretien as prime minister, was married to Sheila Ann Martin. The two were neighbours, and their fathers were colleagues.
Mrs. Martin generally kept a low profile while her husband served in public office.
The Harpers
Laureen Harper, the wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was known for being an Alberta Yamaha-motorcycle-riding mother, devoted to her children. She was once called “the PM’s secret weapon,” by an August 2007 Maclean’s article, and “one of the nation’s most intriguing political spouses.”
She was described as quick and shrewd, drank beer from the bottle, and served as the honorary chair of the Ottawa Humane Society. She was famous for having no nanny for her children, instead opting to be a typical stay-at-home mom. Mrs. Harper was known for keeping her distance from her husband’s political career and quietly doing her own thing. She refused to give formal media interviews, once telling reporters, “The story’s about him,” referring to her prime minister husband.
The Trudeaus of Today
Of all the prime ministers, Justin Trudeau and his wife were the most purposefully in the public eye. Mr. Trudeau has carefully cultivated an image of a family man, as seen in photos of the couple on holidays, trick-or-treating at Halloween, taking horseback rides with their children, decorating the tree at Christmas, and being photographed in ceremonial dress daily on a trip to India.Ms. Grégoire Trudeau, as a former television host who quietly devoted time to pet causes, attracted attention in her own right, and it has been generally favourable. Similar to Mila Mulroney, who was often photographed for her stylish, designer dress choices, Ms. Grégoire Trudeau has been praised for her fashion sense.
The couple created staged events, posted selfies, and shared photos of the family on social media, putting themselves under intense scrutiny. It remains to be seen what impact the split will have on Mr. Trudeau’s image as a political leader.
Divorces while in public office are rare, especially in Canada. Mr. Trudeau, with the news of the split with his wife on Aug. 2, has now become only the second Canadian prime minister in history to break up while holding office, following in the footsteps of his father.
