Kamla Persad-Bissessar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Most Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC MP
Persad-Bissessar in 2013
6th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 May 2025
President	Christine Kangaloo
Preceded by	Stuart Young
In office 26 May 2010 – 9 September 2015
President	George Maxwell Richards Anthony Carmona
Preceded by	Patrick Manning
Succeeded by	Keith Rowley
7th Leader of the Opposition
In office 9 September 2015 – 1 May 2025
Prime Minister	Keith Rowley Stuart Young
Preceded by	Keith Rowley
Succeeded by	Pennelope Beckles-Robinson
In office 25 February 2010 – 26 May 2010
Prime Minister	Patrick Manning
Preceded by	Basdeo Panday
Succeeded by	Keith Rowley
In office 26 April 2006 – 8 November 2007
Prime Minister	Patrick Manning
Preceded by	Basdeo Panday
Succeeded by	Basdeo Panday
3rd Political Leader of the United National Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 January 2010
Preceded by	Basdeo Panday
Ministerial offices Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago In office 5 October 2001 – 24 December 2001 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday Preceded by Ramesh Maharaj Succeeded by Glenda Morean In office 27 November 1995 – 2 February 1996 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday Preceded by Keith Sobion Succeeded by Ramesh Maharaj Minister of Education In office 22 October 1999 – 4 October 2001 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday Preceded by Adesh Nanan Succeeded by Ganga Singh
Parliamentary offices Member of Parliament for Siparia Incumbent Assumed office 6 November 1995 Preceded by Sahid Hosein Member of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago In office 1 November 1994 – 6 October 1995
International offices held 7th Commonwealth Chair-in-Office In office 26 May 2010 – 28 October 2011 Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Preceded by Patrick Manning Succeeded by Julia Gillard Chairwoman of the Caribbean Community In office 1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013 Preceded by Michel Martelly Succeeded by Ralph Gonsalves
Other offices held Alderwoman for the Saint Patrick County Council In office 1987–1991
Personal details
Born	Kamla Susheila Persad (1952-04-22) 22 April 1952 (age 73) Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago
Political party	United National Congress (since 1994)
Other political affiliations	National Alliance for Reconstruction (1987–1994)
Spouse	Gregory Bissessar ​ (m. 1971)​
Children	1
Residences	Prime Minister's Residence, La Fantasie Road, Saint Ann's, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (primary residence) Prime Minister's Residence, Blenheim, Saint George, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago Phillipine, Penal-Debe, Trinidad and Tobago
Education	Iere High School Norwood Technical College
Alma mater	University of the West Indies (BA, DipEd, LL.B., EMBA) Hugh Wooding Law School (LEC)
Occupation	Lawyer Politician Educator
Awards	Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2012)
Nickname	“Aunty or Tanty Kamla”

Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar is a well-known lawyer, politician, and educator from Trinidad and Tobago. She was born on April 22, 1952. People often call her KPB for short. She has served as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago two times. Her first term was from 2010 to 2015, and her second term began in May 2025.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar has also been the Political Leader of the United National Congress since 2010. She was the Leader of the Opposition three times. She is the second prime minister in Trinidad and Tobago's history to serve non-consecutive terms.

She made history as the first woman to hold many important roles in her country. She was the first female Prime Minister, Attorney General, and Leader of the Opposition. She was also the first woman to chair the Commonwealth of Nations. Additionally, she was the first woman of Indian descent to become a prime minister outside of India.

In 2011, Time magazine recognized her as one of the most influential female leaders globally.

Early Life and Family Background

Kamla Susheila Persad was born in a small village called Siparia in southern Trinidad. Her parents, Lilraj and Rita Persad, were both Hindus of Indian heritage. Her father worked as a bookkeeper, and her mother was a laborer in cocoa fields and ran a roti shop. Kamla had one brother and three sisters.

Her grandparents and great-grandparents played a big role in her life. Her paternal grandmother, Soomintra, was a market seller and helped start a Hindu temple. She also led a women's singing and prayer group. Kamla's maternal grandmother, Rookmin, and great-grandmother, Sumaria, worked hard in the sugarcane and cocoa fields. They became the main providers for their families when their husbands passed away young.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar has often said that these strong women in her family taught her about leadership and paved the way for her. Her family's ancestors came from India in the 1880s through the Indian indenture system. In 2012, she visited her paternal great-grandfather's village in India during a state visit.

Education and Learning

Kamla spent her early childhood living with her parents and paternal grandparents in Penal. She attended the Mohess Road Hindu School there. In 1959, when she was seven, her family moved to Siparia. She then went to Erin Road Presbyterian Primary School and later Siparia Union Presbyterian Primary School.

In 1963, she was accepted into Iere High School in Siparia. This was a new school that taught both boys and girls. At Iere, she was a top student in debates and excelled in sports like badminton and netball. She worked hard and finished her GCE O Levels in 1966, graduating in 1969.

When she was sixteen, Kamla wanted to study in the United Kingdom. Her family initially wanted her to stay in Trinidad. However, her mother convinced them to let her go. In August 1969, at age seventeen, Kamla moved to London, England. She attended Norwood Technical College and worked as a social worker.

She married Gregory Bissessar in 1971. They later moved to Jamaica, where they lived for fourteen years. In Jamaica, she studied at the University of the West Indies in Mona. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 and a Diploma of Education in 1976. She taught at St Andrew High School and the University of the West Indies. She was the youngest lecturer at the university at age twenty-five.

Kamla then decided to study law. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill in 1985. In 1987, she graduated from Hugh Wooding Law School with her Legal Education Certificate. She was the top student in her class. In 2006, she earned an Executive Masters in Business Administration.

Political Journey

Kamla Persad-Bissessar began her political career in 1987. She served as an alderwoman on the Saint Patrick County Council until 1991. From 1994 to 1995, she was an opposition senator. In 1995, she became a Member of Parliament for the Siparia area, a position she has held ever since.

She served as Attorney General twice. First in 1995, and again in 2001. When her party, the United National Congress (UNC), formed the government in December 2000, she became the Minister of Education.

In April 2006, she became the Leader of the Opposition. This means she led the main political party that was not in power.

Becoming a Political Leader

On January 24, 2010, Kamla Persad-Bissessar was elected as the political leader of the United National Congress. She won against the party's founder, Basdeo Panday. She officially became the Leader of the Opposition on February 25, 2010.

Serving as Prime Minister

Persad-Bissessar in March 2011.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar became Prime Minister after her party, the People's Partnership, won the general election on May 24, 2010. She defeated the previous government. Her election campaign was successful in bringing together people from different backgrounds. She was the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She was also the first female to chair the Commonwealth of Nations.

Leading the Opposition Again

On September 21, 2015, Kamla Persad-Bissessar was appointed Leader of the Opposition again. This happened after her party lost the general elections on September 7, 2015. The People's National Movement, led by Keith Rowley, won the election. In the 2020 general election, her party remained the opposition, though they gained two more seats.

Second Term as Prime Minister

After leading her party for fifteen years, she led the United National Congress into the 2025 general election. Her party, as part of the Coalition of Interests, won a big victory. She became the prime minister-elect on April 28, 2025. Her party won an estimated 26 out of 41 seats. Kamla Persad-Bissessar had promised to increase public sector salaries, protect pensions, and reopen the state oil company Petrotrin. She was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 1, 2025.

Awards and Recognition

Kamla Persad-Bissessar receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award from Pratibha Patil, the President of India.

In 2012, Kamla Persad-Bissessar received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award from the President of India. This award recognizes people of Indian origin who have made great contributions in public service.

Personal Life

Kamla Persad-Bissessar married Gregory Bissessar in 1971. They have one son named Chris and a grandson named Kristiano. She and her husband live in Phillipine, Penal-Debe, Trinidad and Tobago. She is also a grandmother of two. She has said that she follows both Hinduism and the Spiritual Baptist faith. She also raised her brother's children after he passed away in a car accident.

Electoral History

2025 Trinidad and Tobago general election: Siparia
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	UNC	Kamla Persad-Bissessar	13,900	83.0%
	PNM	Natasha Mohammed	2,412	14.4%
	PF	Judy Sookdeo	374	2.2%
Majority			11,488	68.6%
Turnout			16,740	57.53%
Registered electors			29,096
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See also

In Spanish: Kamla Persad-Bissessar para niños