Spouse of the prime minister of Canada facts for kids
The spouse of the prime minister of Canada is the wife or husband of Canada's prime minister. Currently, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is married to the 23rd prime minister, Justin Trudeau. They separated on August 2, 2023.
So far, nineteen women have been married to Canadian prime ministers. Kim Campbell, Canada's only female prime minister, was not married when she was in office. These spouses often appear at public events with the prime minister. They also often support charities or good causes on their own. Some spouses enjoy being in the public eye more than others.
Some news groups have called the prime minister's wife the "first lady of Canada." This is like the "first lady" title used in the United States. However, this is not an official title in Canada. In Canada, the spouses of Canada's King or Queen and the governor general are more important in official order. The idea of "first lady" in Canada often comes from American media and a misunderstanding of how Canadian government works.
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What Does a Prime Minister's Spouse Do?
The prime minister is not Canada's head of state. This means their spouse does not have an official role in Canadian government. They do not play as big a part as the spouses of the King or Queen, or the governor general.
However, the prime minister's spouse is still a public figure. They often join the prime minister at public events and during election campaigns. They also often welcome important guests at 24 Sussex Drive, which is the prime minister's home.
Helping Good Causes
Many prime ministers' spouses have used their public role to help charities. For example, Mila Mulroney spoke for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She also supported other children's charities. Aline Chrétien worked hard to promote reading programs. Laureen Harper was known for helping animal welfare groups like the Ottawa Humane Society.

Being an Advisor
Many spouses have also given unofficial advice to their husbands. This advice could be about politics or campaigns. Laureen Harper was seen as a "secret weapon" for her husband, Stephen Harper. She had a great sense for how public events would look. For example, she helped arrange for her husband to sing a the Beatles song. This helped make him seem less serious.
Aline Chrétien was also a strong advisor to her husband. One magazine said she shared the "seat of power" with him. A writer even called her the second most powerful person in Canada.
Other Public Attention
Some spouses have become well-known for other reasons. Maryon Pearson was famous for her quick and funny remarks. Margaret Trudeau became a celebrity in her own right. She was seen at famous parties and appeared on magazine covers. Maureen McTeer, married to Joe Clark, was the first spouse to keep her own last name after marriage. This was a big deal at the time.
Because the role of a prime minister's spouse is not official, they can sometimes face criticism. In 2016, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau mentioned needing help with her many requests for public appearances. Some people criticized this, but it also showed how busy the role can be.
Spouses of Canadian Prime Ministers
Here is a list of the people who have been married to a prime minister of Canada:
No. | Image | Name | Prime Minister (Spouse) |
Date tenure began | Date tenure ended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Agnes Macdonald | Sir John A. Macdonald | July 1, 1867 | November 5, 1873 |
2 | ![]() |
Jane Mackenzie | Alexander Mackenzie | November 7, 1873 | October 8, 1878 |
(1) | ![]() |
Agnes Macdonald | Sir John A. Macdonald | October 17, 1878 | June 6, 1891 |
3 | ![]() |
Mary Abbott | Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott | June 16, 1891 | November 24, 1892 |
4 | ![]() |
Annie Thompson | Sir John Sparrow David Thompson | December 5, 1892 | December 12, 1894 |
None (widower) | Sir Mackenzie Bowell | December 21, 1894 | April 27, 1896 | ||
5 | ![]() |
Frances Tupper | Sir Charles Tupper | May 1, 1896 | July 8, 1896 |
6 | ![]() |
Zoé Laurier | Sir Wilfrid Laurier | July 11, 1896 | October 7, 1911 |
7 | ![]() |
Laura Borden | Sir Robert Laird Borden | October 10, 1911 | July 10, 1920 |
8 | ![]() |
Isabel Meighen | Arthur Meighen | July 10, 1920 | December 29, 1921 |
None (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King | December 29, 1921 | June 29, 1926 | ||
(8) | ![]() |
Isabel Meighen | Arthur Meighen | June 29, 1926 | November 25, 1926 |
None (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King | November 25, 1926 | August 7, 1930 | ||
None (never married) | R.B. Bennett | August 7, 1930 | October 23, 1935 | ||
None (never married) | William Lyon Mackenzie King | October 23, 1935 | November 15, 1948 | ||
9 | ![]() |
Jeanne St. Laurent | Louis Stephen St. Laurent | November 15, 1948 | June 21, 1957 |
10 | ![]() |
Olive Diefenbaker | John Diefenbaker | June 21, 1957 | April 22, 1963 |
11 | Maryon Pearson | Lester B. Pearson | April 22, 1963 | April 20, 1968 | |
None (unmarried as of 1968; married in office) | Pierre Trudeau | April 20, 1968 | March 4, 1971 | ||
12 | ![]() |
Margaret Trudeau | March 4, 1971 | June 4, 1979 | |
13 | Maureen McTeer | Joe Clark | June 4, 1979 | March 3, 1980 | |
(12) | ![]() |
Margaret Trudeau | Pierre Trudeau | March 3, 1980 | April 2, 1984 |
None (divorced) | April 2, 1984 | June 30, 1984 | |||
14 | Geills Turner | John Turner | June 30, 1984 | September 17, 1984 | |
15 | ![]() |
Mila Mulroney | Brian Mulroney | September 17, 1984 | June 25, 1993 |
None (divorced) | Kim Campbell | June 25, 1993 | November 4, 1993 | ||
16 | ![]() |
Aline Chrétien | Jean Chrétien | November 4, 1993 | December 12, 2003 |
17 | ![]() |
Sheila Martin | Paul Martin | December 12, 2003 | February 6, 2006 |
18 | ![]() |
Laureen Harper | Stephen Harper | February 6, 2006 | November 4, 2015 |
19 | ![]() |
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau | Justin Trudeau | November 4, 2015 | Present |
See also
- List of royal consorts of Canada
- Viceregal consort of Canada