Ralph Gonsalves Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves MP
Gonsalves in 2024

4th Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
In office 29 March 2001 – 27 November 2025
Monarch	Elizabeth II Charles III
Governor-General	Charles Antrobus Monica Dacon (Acting) Frederick Ballantyne Susan Dougan
Deputy	Girlyn Miguel (2010–2015) Louis Straker (2015–2020) Montgomery Daniel (2020–)
Preceded by	Arnhim Eustace
Leader of the Unity Labour Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 December 1998
Preceded by	Vincent Beache
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
In office 1 July 2020 – 30 December 2021
Secretary-General	Irwin LaRocque
Preceded by	Mia Mottley
Succeeded by	Keith Rowley
In office 1 January 2014 – 30 June 2014
Secretary-General	Irwin LaRocque
Preceded by	Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Succeeded by	Gaston Browne
Minister of Finance
In office 29 March 2001 – 10 November 2017
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Arnhim Eustace
Succeeded by	Camillo Gonsalves
Member of Parliament for North Central Windward
Incumbent
Assumed office 1994

Personal details
Born	(1946-08-08) 8 August 1946 (age 79) Colonarie, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands (now Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Political party	Unity Labour Party
Spouse	Eloise Harris
Alma mater	University of the West Indies University of Manchester Inns of Court School of Law

Ralph Everard Gonsalves (born 8 August 1946) is a politician from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He served as the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) from 2001 until November 27, 2025.

Mr. Gonsalves was the longest-serving prime minister since Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became an independent country in 1979. He first became prime minister after his party won the general election in 2001. His party, the ULP, was formed when two other parties, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Labour Party and the Movement for National Unity, joined together.

He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of North Central Windward since 1994. In 1994, he became the deputy leader of the Unity Labour Party. He then became the leader of the party in 1998.

Under his leadership, the ULP won many elections. In November 2020, Mr. Gonsalves began his fifth term as prime minister. He was also one of the longest-serving democratically elected leaders in the world.

Who is Ralph Gonsalves?
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Who is Ralph Gonsalves?

Ralph Gonsalves is a well-known politician from the Caribbean nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He has played a very important role in his country's government for many years. He is often called "Comrade Ralph" by people who know him.

Early Life and Education

Ralph Gonsalves was born on August 8, 1946, in a place called Colonarie on the island of Saint Vincent. This island was part of the British Windward Islands at the time. His father, Alban Gonsalves, was a farmer and a small business owner. His mother, Theresa Francis, also ran a small business.

Growing Up in Saint Vincent

Ralph Gonsalves' family has roots in Portugal. His ancestors came to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 1845. They arrived as indentured servants from the Portuguese island of Madeira. Indentured servants were people who agreed to work for a certain number of years in exchange for their passage to a new country.

His Journey in Learning

He went to the Colonarie Roman Catholic School and then the St. Vincent Grammar School. Later, he studied at the University of the West Indies. There, he earned a degree in economics. He continued his studies and received a master's degree in government in 1971.

In 1974, he earned a doctorate degree in government from the University of Manchester. He also studied law in London and became a lawyer in 1981. He even attended Makerere University in Uganda for some time.

A Career in Politics

Mr. Gonsalves became interested in politics during his university days. He was the president of the University of West Indies' student government and debating club. In 1968, he led a student protest. This protest was against the government's decision to send away a historian named Walter Rodney.

Leading His Party

In 1994, Ralph Gonsalves became the deputy leader of the Unity Labour Party. He took over as the party leader in 1998 after Vincent Beache stepped down. From December 1999 to January 2001, he served as the leader of the opposition. This meant he was the main voice against the ruling government.

Becoming Prime Minister

Mr. Gonsalves led the Unity Labour Party to victory in the 2001 general election. This made him the prime minister and also the Minister of Finance. His party was re-elected in 2005 and again in 2010. In 2010, they won by a small margin.

Ralph Gonsalves in 2013

Important Decisions and Changes

In 2009, Mr. Gonsalves and his party wanted to change the country's constitution. They proposed replacing Elizabeth II as the head of state with a president. This would have changed Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. However, the people voted against these changes in a special referendum.

He continued to support the idea of having a president. In 2022, he suggested another vote to replace the monarchy. He also supported renaming places in the country that were named after colonial figures. In November 2017, he passed the role of Minister of Finance to his son, Camillo Gonsalves.

Working with Other Countries

Mr. Gonsalves also worked with other countries in the Caribbean. On July 3, 2020, he was chosen as the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARICOM is a group of Caribbean nations that work together on important issues. He served in this role for six months.

Ralph Gonsalves at a CARICOM meeting in 2016 with President of Chile Michelle Bachelet and Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz

In November 2020, Ralph Gonsalves, who was Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 2001 until November 27, 2025, achieved a historic fifth consecutive election victory for his party.

He attended the coronation of King Charles III in London on May 6, 2023. He met with the King and other leaders from the Commonwealth before the ceremony.

Mr. Gonsalves also played a role in helping to resolve disagreements between Venezuela and Guyana. He helped organize a meeting between the presidents of these two nations. His goal was to encourage them to talk and find peaceful solutions.

Life Outside Government

Outside of his political work, Ralph Gonsalves is also a lawyer. He practices law before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. He has also written many articles and books. These writings cover topics like the Caribbean, Africa, and how countries develop.

His Family

Ralph Gonsalves has been married twice. His current wife is Eloise Harris. He has five children: Camillo, Adam, Storm, Isis, and Soleil. His son, Camillo, has followed in his footsteps and is also a politician. Camillo currently serves as the Minister of Finance.