Mia Mottley
Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP[2] (born 1 October 1965) is a Barbadian politician and attorney who has served as the eighth prime minister of Barbados since 2018 and as Leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) since 2008. Mottley is the first woman to hold either position. She is also Barbados' first prime minister under its republican system, following constitutional changes she introduced that abolished the country's constitutional monarchy.
Mia Mottley
Elizabeth II (until 2021)
Sandra Mason (since 2021)
Sandra Mason (until 2021)
Santia Bradshaw (since 2022)
Leroy Brathwaite
3,243 (62.1%)
1 October 1965
Barbados
Eva Mottley (cousin)
Ilaro Court (2018–present)
Merrivale Preparatory School; United Nations International School; Queen's College (Barbados)
Mottley has been the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Saint Michael North East since 1994. From 1994 to 2008, she held a succession of ministerial portfolios including the post of Attorney-General of Barbados becoming the first woman to be appointed as such. She is also a member of the Inter-American Dialogue.[3]
Mottley was twice the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly of Barbados first from 2008 to 2010 then from 2013 to 2018. In 2018, the Mottley-led BLP won a historic landslide victory in the 24 May general election, securing all 30 seats in the House—making them the first party to accomplish this feat—in addition to winning 72.8 per cent of the popular vote, which is the highest share ever achieved by a party in a general election.[4]
Mottley won a second term in office at the 2022 general election, once again sweeping all 30 seats in the legislature[5] in a snap election that she called.[6]
Early life, family and education[edit]
Mottley is the granddaughter of Ernest Deighton Mottley (1907–1973), a real estate broker and successful politician particularly at the parish level. He was the first Mayor of Bridgetown (1959), representing Bridgetown in the House of Assembly from 1946, who belonged to the conservative Barbados National Party. He was granted the Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division for public services in Barbados in June 1962 and assisted Wynter Algernon Crawford (1910–1993), Barbados's Trade Minister, at the Independent Conference in London during June and July 1966.
Mottley's uncle, also named Ernest Deighton Mottley, became the political leader of the short-lived Christian Social Democratic Party (CSD) created in March 1975.[7] Her cousin was the actress Eva Mottley.
Mia's father Elliott Deighton Mottley was a barrister who sat in the House of Assembly for a relatively short time, vacating the seat to become consul-general in New York. He was educated at Eagle Hall School, Harrison College, Middle Temple and the Inns of Court School of Law. He once served as Bermuda's attorney-general and sits on the Court of Appeal of Belize. He married Mia's mother Santa Amor Tappin in December 1964, three years after being called to the Bar, and was elected to represent Bridgetown in May 1969.
Mia Mottley was educated at Merrivale Preparatory School,[a] the United Nations International School, and Queen's College (Barbados). She later studied at the London School of Economics and was awarded a law degree from the University of London in 1986.[8]
Mottley is a recipient of the following honours:
In December 2020, Mottley was named Person of the Year by Caribbean National Weekly, along with Oliver Mair.[39]
In May 2022, Mottley was featured on the cover of TIME magazine, the first Barbadian to do so, and was named one of "The 100 Most Influential People of 2022",[40][41] in recognition of her outspoken advocacy for addressing climate change.[42]
In November 2022, the United Nations Foundation announced Mottley as the recipient of one of its annual Global Leadership Awards, honouring her as "Champion for Global Change" and citing "her exemplary leadership in fighting for a just, equitable, and sustainable world".[43]
In December 2022, Mottley was named on the BBC's 100 Women list as one of the world's inspiring and influential women of the year,[44] and by the Financial Times on "The FT's 25 most influential women of 2022".[33][45]