The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.. ", First minister says wife and mother had Covid. Mark Drakeford (born 19 September 1954)[2] is a Welsh politician serving as First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour since 2018. [8], Drakeford has always been interested in politics, which he says was part of the fabric of life in 1960s Carmarthenshire. The King has decided against inviting Fergie, despite her still sharing a home with his brother Prince Andrew and seemingly being welcomed back into the royal fold. He named his government the following day. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? He was born on 19 September 1954, in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Mark Drakeford is married to Clare Buckle until her death in January 2023. "They are all in our thoughts and prayers.". "On the occasions I met Clare, it was obvious how strong the bond between her and Mark was, and I can only imagine the depth of grief he is feeling.". '', A second added: So sorry to hear the sad news of Clare Drakefords sudden passing. Swansea Pride 2023: Live updates as hundreds parade through city Mark Drakeford's actual age is 69, and his birthday is on 19-Sep-1954. Carmarthenshire is a beautiful and populous city located in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales United Kingdom. Clare Drakeford Illness Before Death - geniuscelebs.com Drakeford is considered to be on the left-wing of the Labour Party, and is supported by some members of the grassroots groups Welsh Labour Grassroots and Momentum. Without future ado, let's learn more about Mark Drakeford. Last year Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his "vulnerable" wife for much of the pandemic. The palace have yet to confirm the official guestlist for the King's coronation, but some of the non-royal dukes who reportedly haven't been given an invitation include the Duke of Rutland and the Duke of Somerset. The couple have three adult children. Asylum seeker children should be treated fairly, the first minister has insisted, in a row with Rishi Sunak over Wales' basic income pilot. He has led the Welsh Governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously served in the Welsh Government as Cabinet Secretary for Finance from 2016 to 2018 and Minister for Health and Social Services from 2013 to 2016. My deepest condolences to Mark and family at this really sad time. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Welsh government said: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, reportedly 66, wife of the first minister. The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and they had three children together. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "It is with. Drakeford was a lecturer at the University College of Swansea from 1991 to 1995 and at the University of Wales, Cardiff from 1995 to 1999. Words of condolence have poured in from across the political spectrum. Following Rhodri Morgans appointment as First Minister in 2000, Drakeford became the Welsh Governments special advisor on health and social policy, and later served as the head of Morgans political office. When is Mark Drakeford's next birthday? Lady Pamela Hicks whose father, the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was Prince Philip's uncle attended the Queen's wedding in 1947 and her funeral in a wheelchair last September. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For now, there are no reports of any health conditions or any sort of problems Clare might be facing. Downing Street has confirmed that Prime MinisterRishi Sunakhad passed on his deepest condolences to Mr Drakeford privately. The 66-year-old died suddenly today however her cause of death is not yet known. They had their wedding in Cambridge in 1977. Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford's wife, Clare, dies In 2013, he was invited by First Minister Carwyn Jones to join the Government, replacing Lesley Griffiths as Minister for Health and Social Services. Drakeford is commonly seen as belonging to the Labour Party's left flank and is backed by members of Welsh Labour Grassroots and Momentum. Clare Drakeford's only family is her mother and her children, including her husband Mark. '', A third wrote: ''How very sad. Soon after, he became Chair of the Assemblys Health and Social Care Committee and of the All-Wales Programme Monitoring Committee for European Funds. She was born in 1951 in the United Kingdom. A spokesman confirmed the news with "deep sadness". First Minister Mark Drakeford's wife Clare has died suddenly. He studied Latin at the University of Kent and the University of Exeter. The measures that controlled exercise outside the home differed from those in England, where the measures in place did not stipulate a once-a-day restriction, whereas the Welsh version specifically limited exercise outside the home to once a day, with the maximum fine being 120, compared to 960 in England. [3] He was the only sitting Cabinet member in any part of the UK to support Jeremy Corbyn in his bid for the national leadership of the Labour Party in 2015, while he was Minister for Health and Social Services. He received 46.9% of the vote in the first round of the contest, and 53.9% in the second round compared to 41.4% for Vaughan Gething. Two days later, he announced that he would seek to be a candidate in the ensuing leadership contest. Soon after, he became Chair of the Assembly's Health and Social Care Committee and of the All-Wales Programme Monitoring Committee for European Funds.[15]. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time, he wrote on Twitter. Clare Drakeford: Wife of Wales' FM Mark Drakeford dies suddenly [4], Mark Drakeford was born and brought up in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. Some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about Mark Drakeford. He studied Latin at the University of Kent, and graduated from the University of Exeter. However, when it comes to the ceremony itself, only Willem-Alexander and Maxima will be there. It now means that she will not be alongside her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who are both nieces of the King, in Westminster Abbey for the historic event on May 6. As Health Minister, he guided both the Human Transplantation Act and the Nurse Staffing Levels Act through the Senedd. The Prince and Princess of Wales have Tweeted: "Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. "My mother was not offended at all. At a special conference on 15 September 2018, it was decided that the voting system for Welsh Labour leadership elections would be changed to a variation of one member, one vote a change for which Drakeford had been campaigning for over 20 years. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time.". Mark Drakeford is a politician. At a special conference on 15 September 2018, it was decided that the voting system for Welsh Labour leadership elections would be changed to a variation of one member, one vote a change for which Drakeford had been campaigning for over 20 years. In this section, we discussed his height-weight along with his eyes and hair colors. [19] He immediately secured the public support of seven other Labour AMs, taking him beyond the threshold of nominations needed to get onto the ballot. Immediately following Carwyn Jones' announcement on 21 April 2018 that he intended to resign as party leader and First Minister, Drakeford told BBC Wales he was giving a leadership bid serious consideration. [28], On 23 March 2020, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, having the agreement of all devolved governments, announced a lockdown of the United Kingdom, with only essential services remaining open. Is Secret Society Movie A True Story? He moved to Cardiff in 1979 and worked as a probation officer and a youth justice worker, including as a Barnardos project leader in the Ely and Caerau communities. My thoughts are with you and your family. I can't imagine the pain Mark and his family will now be feeling.". Drakeford was elected at the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election for Cardiff West. The seat was won by the Liberal Democrats Jenny Randerson. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has today sent their condolences following the news of Clare Drakeford's passing. His experiences working with young people in deprived areas inspired him to help establish the Welsh youth homelessness charity Llamau in the late 1980s. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill offered her condolences, saying: "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they mourn their loss and come to terms with their grief.".