Keith Rowley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Keith Rowley MP
Rowley in 2023
7th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
In office 9 September 2015 – 17 March 2025
President	Anthony Carmona Paula-Mae Weekes Christine Kangaloo
Preceded by	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Succeeded by	Stuart Young
8th Leader of the Opposition
In office 26 May 2010 – 9 September 2015
Prime Minister	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Preceded by	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Succeeded by	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
4th Leader of the People's National Movement
In office 26 May 2010 – 1 May 2025
Preceded by	Patrick Manning
Succeeded by	Pennelope Beckles-Robinson
Member of Parliament for Diego Martin West
In office 16 December 1991 – 28 April 2025
Preceded by	Margaret Hector
Succeeded by	Hans des Vignes
Member of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago
In office 1987–1990
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
In office 1 January 2021 – 30 June 2021
Secretary-General	Irwin LaRocque
Preceded by	Ralph Gonsalves
Succeeded by	Gaston Browne
Personal details
Born	Keith Christopher Rowley (1949-10-24) 24 October 1949 (age 75) Saint George, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Political party	PNM
Spouse	Sharon Rowley
Children	4
Alma mater	University of the West Indies

Keith Christopher Rowley (born October 24, 1949) is a politician from Trinidad and Tobago. He served as the seventh prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 2015 to 2025. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was the leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) political party from 2010 to 2025. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015.

Mr. Rowley was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Diego Martin West from 1991 to 2025. He is also a volcanologist, which means he studies volcanoes. He has a special degree in geology, focusing on the chemistry of rocks.

Early Life and Education

Keith Rowley was born in Mason Hall, Tobago. He was raised by his grandparents, who were well-known farmers in Tobago. He went to Bishop's High School in Tobago.

After high school, he studied at the University of the West Indies (Mona campus). He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with top honors. He continued his studies at the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine. There, he earned a Master's degree in 1974 and a PhD in 1978, both in geology. His special area was geochemistry, which is the study of the chemical makeup of the Earth.

While at the university, he worked as a researcher. He later became the head of the Seismic Research Unit, which studies earthquakes and volcanoes. He also worked as the general manager for a state-owned company called National Quarries Company Limited.

Political Journey

Keith Rowley started his political career in 1981. He first served in the Parliament as an Opposition Senator from 1987 to 1990. This meant he was part of the group that challenged the government's decisions.

Later, he became a Minister in different government departments. He served as Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources. He was also Minister of Planning and Development, and Minister of Housing. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was Minister of Trade and Industry.

Leading the Opposition

After his party, the People's National Movement, lost the general election in 2010, Keith Rowley was chosen as the Leader of the Opposition. This role means he was the main voice of the party not in power.

He was then elected as the political leader of the People's National Movement. Many people believed he was the best person to lead the party forward. As leader, he worked to make the party more democratic. He wanted a "one man, one vote" system for party elections.

Mr. Rowley also served on several important committees in Parliament. In 2004, he led a committee that looked into broadcasting parliamentary debates live. He also represented Trinidad and Tobago on the boards of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank.

Becoming Prime Minister

In September 2015, Keith Rowley led the People's National Movement in the general election. His party won 23 out of 41 seats in the House of Representatives. This victory allowed his party to form the new government.

On September 9, 2015, Mr. Rowley was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He was sworn in by President Anthony Carmona. He became the seventh Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also the second Prime Minister to be born in Tobago.

Mr. Rowley led the People's National Movement to another victory in the 2020 general election. This meant he would serve a second term as Prime Minister. He was sworn in on August 19 by President Paula-Mae Weekes. This happened after the opposing party asked for recounts in some close election areas.

During his time as Prime Minister, there was an incident in February 2022. The Trinidad and Tobago coast guard fired at a boat carrying people from Venezuela. A nine-month-old baby died, and his mother was injured. The coast guard said they fired in self-defense. Mr. Rowley stated that the action was "legal and appropriate." The Trinidadian police and coast guard started an investigation into the event.

In August 2024, at a party meeting, Mr. Rowley shared his support for the Caribbean Court of Justice. He wanted it to replace the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final court for appeals in Trinidad and Tobago. He also announced plans to change the national coat of arms. He wanted to remove the ships of Christopher Columbus and replace them with the steelpan drum. The steelpan had been declared the official national music instrument a few months earlier. He said these changes would show that the country was moving away from its colonial past.

Personal Life

Keith Rowley is married to Sharon Rowley, who is a lawyer. They have three children. He is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

See also

In Spanish: Keith Rowley para niños