George Vella Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency George Vella KUOM
Vella in 2022

10th President of Malta
In office 4 April 2019 – 4 April 2024
Prime Minister	Joseph Muscat Robert Abela
Preceded by	Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
Succeeded by	Myriam Spiteri Debono
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 13 March 2013 – 9 June 2017
Prime Minister	Joseph Muscat
Preceded by	Francis Zammit Dimech
Succeeded by	Carmelo Abela
In office 28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime Minister	Alfred Sant
Preceded by	Guido de Marco
Succeeded by	Guido de Marco
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta
In office 28 October 1996 – 6 September 1998
Prime Minister	Alfred Sant
Preceded by	Guido de Marco
Succeeded by	Guido de Marco
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
In office 26 March 1992 – 23 May 2003
Leader	Alfred Sant
Preceded by	Joseph Brincat
Succeeded by	Charles Mangion

Personal details
Born	(1942-04-24) 24 April 1942 (age 83) Żejtun, Crown Colony of Malta
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Miriam Grima (m. 1985)
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Malta

George William Vella (born 24 April 1942) is a Maltese politician. He served as the 10th President of Malta from 2019 to 2024. He is a member of the Labour Party. Before becoming president, he was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. He held these roles from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2013 to 2017.

Early Life and Education
Political Journey
Awards and Honours
- Awards from Malta
- Awards from Other Countries
See also

Early Life and Education

George Vella was born in a town called Żejtun on April 24, 1942. He finished his first years of school there. He then went to the Royal University of Malta. In 1964, he graduated as a medical doctor.

He also studied Aviation Medicine in Farnborough, UK. Since 2003, he has been a specialist in family medicine. From 1964 to 1966, Dr. Vella worked at St. Luke's Hospital. After that, he worked as a medical officer for Malta's drydocks until 1973. He also served as a medical officer for Air Malta.

Dr. Vella is married to Miriam. They have two daughters and one son. They also have seven grandchildren.

Political Journey

Joining the Labour Party

George Vella joined the Labour Party and began his work in parliament in 1976. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in January 1978. He was re-elected many times in later elections. He represented two different areas, the 3rd and 5th Districts.

In 1978, Vella was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He also reported on pollution from ships. From 1987, he was Malta's representative at the Council of Europe for a few months.

Important Roles in Government

In 1992, Vella became the Labour Party's deputy leader for parliament. He also spoke for the party on foreign affairs until 2003. He helped lead a committee that worked with the European Union. From 1995 to 1996, he was part of committees that dealt with parliament's work and foreign affairs.

The office of Vella while serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

In October 1996, George Vella was chosen to be the Deputy Prime Minister. He also became the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Environment. He held these important jobs again from March 2013 to June 2017. As Foreign Affairs Minister, he was in charge of Malta's relationships with other countries.

Vella has supported the idea of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. This group wants to make the United Nations more democratic. They believe in a more fair international political system.

Becoming President of Malta

In early 2019, people started talking about George Vella becoming the next president of Malta. The ruling Labour Party chose him for the job. The main opposition party, the Nationalist Party, also supported his nomination.

Another party, the Democratic Party, agreed with his nomination. However, they did not vote. They wanted a new rule that would require more votes to elect a president. The vote in parliament happened on April 2, 2019. Members of Parliament voted to approve Vella as the only person nominated. He officially became president on April 4, 2019. This date is when many past Maltese Presidents have started their term.

Awards and Honours

George Vella has received many awards for his service.

Awards from Malta

He is a Companion of the National Order of Merit.
As President, he became the Grand Master of the National Order of Merit.
He is also the Grand Master of the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika.

Awards from Other Countries

From Greece, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer and the Grand Commander of the Order of Honour.
From Italy, he received the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
From Latvia, he received the Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars.
From San Marino, he received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Agatha.
From the United Kingdom, he received the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.
From the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, he received the Grand Cross pro merito melitensi of the Order pro Merito Melitensi.