Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar - Prime Minister of Ireland, Family and Family

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Leo Varadkar's Personal Details

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 18, 1979
NationalityIrish
FamousGays, Trinity College, Dublin, Leaders, Political Leaders, Prime Ministers, Prime Minister of Ireland
SiblingsSonia Varadkar, Sophie Varadkar
Universities
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Trinity College
  • Dublin (2003)
  • Trinity College
  • Dublin
  • The King's Hospital
Notable Alumnis
  • Trinity College Dublin
Birth PlaceCastleknock, Dublin, Ireland
GenderMale
FatherAshok Varadkar
MotherMiriam Varadkar
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inCastleknock, Dublin, Ireland
Famous asPrime Minister of Ireland
Socials

Leo Varadkar's photo

Who is Leo Varadkar?

Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland, in office since 14 June 2017. In early June 2017, he succeeded Enda Kenny as the Leader of the Fine Gael Party and was soon nominated as the Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann (the Assembly of Ireland) which was approved by the President of Ireland. A professionally qualified doctor, Varadkar had been the Health Minister from 2014 to 2016. He has also served as the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister of Social Protection. The son of an Indian immigrant, he came out publicly as gay, in 2015, becoming the first openly gay Irish government minister and the first minister of Indian heritage. Politically active since his college days, he ventured deep into politics in the late 2000s. Elected to Dáil Éireann in 2007, he proceeded to hold many important positions in the Irish government, earning a reputation for being a highly intelligent, honest, and hardworking man. His appointment as the Prime Minister is significant in the political history of Ireland due to several aspects; he is not only the country’s first openly gay Taoiseach, but also the youngest and the first one of Indian heritage.

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Childhood & Early Life

Leo Varadkar was born on 18 January 1979 in Dublin, Ireland, to Ashok Varadkar and his wife Miriam (née Howell). His father is a Hindu doctor of Indian origin while his mother is an Irish Catholic nurse. He has two sisters, Sophie and Sonia.

Varadkar attended the St Francis Xavier National School, Blanchardstown, before moving to Palmerstown at The King's Hospital for his secondary-level education. He developed an early interest in politics and joined the political party Fine Gael during his secondary schooling.

After the completion of his schooling he enrolled at the Trinity College, Dublin (TCD). He initially studied law before switching to medicine. During his college days he served as vice-president of the Youth of the European People's Party, the youth wing of the Christian Democrat group.

Intelligent, hardworking, and determined, he was selected for the prestigious Washington Ireland Program, a six-month program of personal and professional development meant for ambitious young people with leadership skills. He completed the program in 2000.

Career

In 2003, Leo Varadkar graduated from the school of medicine following which he worked for several years as a junior doctor in St. James's Hospital and Connolly Hospital. He qualified as a general practitioner in 2010.

Meanwhile he remained politically active throughout this period, and was elected to the Dáil Éireann (the Assembly of Ireland) at the 2007 general election. He also served as the party spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 2007 to 2010. He was easily re-elected to Dáil Éireann in 2011.

In 2011, Fine Gael formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, following which Leo Varadkar was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 9 March 2011. This came as a surprise to many as it is known that Varadkar is not an enthusiastic sports fan.

In July 2014, the cabinet was reshuffled and Varadkar found himself replacing James Reilly as Minister for Health. This came as no surprise as he is a qualified doctor.

In the 2016 Irish general elections, held in February, he was once again elected to the Dáil Éireann and retained the health portfolio in an acting capacity until May that year. As the Health Minister, he cut €12 million from the €35 million allocated to that year's budget for mental health care as he felt that the funding could be better utilized elsewhere.

In May 2016, the then-Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, appointed Varadkar as Minister for Social Protection. His stature in the Irish political scenario continued to rise and on 2 June 2017, Varadkar was elected leader of Fine Gael, succeeding the retiring Kenny. His main opponent in the election had been Simon Coveney, who was eventually made his deputy.

On 14 June 2017 he was nominated as Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann in a 57–50 vote with 47 abstentions. This nomination was approved by the President of Ireland and thus Leo Varadkar became Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach, and also the first one of Indian origin. The outgoing Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said his successor represented a “modest, diverse and inclusive Ireland”.

Major Works

As an openly gay minister, Leo Varadkar was a leading campaigner for the “Yes Vote” in the Marriage Referendum prior to the passage of the thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution in May 2015. His popularity is believed to have played a crucial role in garnering the public support for legalizing same-sex marriages in Ireland. The Marriage Act 2015, which provides for same-sex marriage in Ireland, was signed into law in October 2015.

Awards & Achievements

While Leo Varadkar was serving as the Health Minister, he was named 'Man of the Year' by the publication ‘Irish Tatler’ in 2015. The award was presented to him by the chairwoman of Harmonia, Norah Casey.

Personal Life

Leo Varadkar came out publicly on his 36th birthday on 18 January 2015 during an interview with RTE Radio. His disclosure was met with mass approval and he was appreciated for his honesty and courage.

He is in a long-term relationship with Matthew Barrett, a doctor at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

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Leo Varadkar biography timelines

  • // 18th Jan 1979
    Leo Varadkar was born on 18 January 1979 in Dublin, Ireland, to Ashok Varadkar and his wife Miriam (née Howell). His father is a Hindu doctor of Indian origin while his mother is an Irish Catholic nurse. He has two sisters, Sophie and Sonia.
  • // 2000
    Intelligent, hardworking, and determined, he was selected for the prestigious Washington Ireland Program, a six-month program of personal and professional development meant for ambitious young people with leadership skills. He completed the program in 2000.
  • // 2003 To 2010
    In 2003, Leo Varadkar graduated from the school of medicine following which he worked for several years as a junior doctor in St. James's Hospital and Connolly Hospital. He qualified as a general practitioner in 2010.
  • // 9th Mar 2011
    In 2011, Fine Gael formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, following which Leo Varadkar was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 9 March 2011. This came as a surprise to many as it is known that Varadkar is not an enthusiastic sports fan.
  • // Jul 2014
    In July 2014, the cabinet was reshuffled and Varadkar found himself replacing James Reilly as Minister for Health. This came as no surprise as he is a qualified doctor.
  • // 2015
    While Leo Varadkar was serving as the Health Minister, he was named 'Man of the Year' by the publication ‘Irish Tatler’ in 2015. The award was presented to him by the chairwoman of Harmonia, Norah Casey.
  • // 18th Jan 2015
    Leo Varadkar came out publicly on his 36th birthday on 18 January 2015 during an interview with RTE Radio. His disclosure was met with mass approval and he was appreciated for his honesty and courage.
  • // 2016
    In the 2016 Irish general elections, held in February, he was once again elected to the Dáil Éireann and retained the health portfolio in an acting capacity until May that year. As the Health Minister, he cut €12 million from the €35 million allocated to that year's budget for mental health care as he felt that the funding could be better utilized elsewhere.
  • // May 2016 To 2nd Jun 2017
    In May 2016, the then-Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, appointed Varadkar as Minister for Social Protection. His stature in the Irish political scenario continued to rise and on 2 June 2017, Varadkar was elected leader of Fine Gael, succeeding the retiring Kenny. His main opponent in the election had been Simon Coveney, who was eventually made his deputy.
  • // 14th Jun 2017
    On 14 June 2017 he was nominated as Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann in a 57–50 vote with 47 abstentions. This nomination was approved by the President of Ireland and thus Leo Varadkar became Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach, and also the first one of Indian origin. The outgoing Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said his successor represented a “modest, diverse and inclusive Ireland”.

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Leo Varadkar's FAQ

  • What is Leo Varadkar birthday?

    Leo Varadkar was born at 1979-01-18

  • Where is Leo Varadkar's birth place?

    Leo Varadkar was born in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland

  • What is Leo Varadkar nationalities?

    Leo Varadkar's nationalities is Irish

  • Who is Leo Varadkar siblings?

    Leo Varadkar's siblings is Sonia Varadkar, Sophie Varadkar

  • What was Leo Varadkar universities?

    Leo Varadkar studied at Trinity College Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin (2003), Trinity College, Dublin, The King's Hospital

  • What was Leo Varadkar notable alumnis?

    Leo Varadkar's notable alumnis is Trinity College Dublin

  • Who is Leo Varadkar's father?

    Leo Varadkar's father is Ashok Varadkar

  • Who is Leo Varadkar's mother?

    Leo Varadkar's mother is Miriam Varadkar

  • What is Leo Varadkar's sun sign?

    Leo Varadkar is Capricorn

  • How famous is Leo Varadkar?

    Leo Varadkar is famouse as Prime Minister of Ireland

  • What is Leo Varadkar's twitter?

    Leo Varadkar's twitter is https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/