Something went wrong, please try again later. 2023 BBC. She had been married to Drakeford since 1977 and had three children. Rishi Sunak later wrote on social media: "Incredibly sad to hear about the sudden death of Clare Drakeford. Mark Drakeford has spoken about how St David's Day is an "opportunity for us to show who we are and what we stand for". She had been Mr Drakeford, who became first minister in 2018 and was reappointed to the post in May 2021, later described their reunion as "a bit emotional". "The thoughts and sympathy of all us in and across the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party are with Mark and his family. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news. A funeral has been held for the wife of Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The family has lived in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff for 30 years. Im shocked and deeply saddened to hear of her passing.". Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said his heart was "absolutely breaking" for Mr Drakeford. The First Minister has been on compassionate leave since his late wife died suddenly. Clare had been married to the Welsh Labour Leader since 1977. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has announced. We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story. Mark Drakeford and wife Clare in May 2022. He offered his "thoughts and prayers" during "this incredibly difficult time". They lived in Cardiff at the time of her death. She is currently representing Colorados third congressional district. "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time," Ms Sturgeon tweeted. We're all here for you Mark.". Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, has "suddenly" died, the Welsh Government has confirmed. Clare Drakeford, wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly at the age of 71, the Welsh government has said. Read about our approach to external linking. Tuesday 28 February 2023, 2:57pm. Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, had the support of his wife throughout his political career. I know how committed Mark and Clare were to each other. The news was confirmed by a Welsh Government spokesman on Saturday. ", In a personal tweet on their official account, William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, wrote: "Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. '', A third wrote: ''How very sad. My thoughts are with you and your family. Another former prime minister, Gordon Brown, said he was sorry to hear of Mrs Drakeford's death, adding: "She will be greatly missed. Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, expressed: "So shocked and so very sad at the news of Clare Drakeford's death. Clare Drakeford, wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly at the age of 71, the Welsh government has said. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The former Prime Minister,Boris Johnson, released a tribute to the Drakeford family. On behalf of the whole Labour party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family, he said. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. Leader of the Labour Party, Kier Starmer, tweeted: "Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said she is sending Mark Drakeford "love and strength" following the news that his wife, Clare, has died suddenly. "On behalf of everyone in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I extend our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends.". '', A second added: So sorry to hear the sad news of Clare Drakefords sudden passing. Lee Michael is an American attorney, politician, and United States Army Reserve officer. "Absolutely devastating news to learn of Clare Drakeford's passing. Clare Drakeford was Wales First Minister Mark Drakefords wife. The wife of Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has confirmed. A funeral has been held for the wife of Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford. For other inquiries, Contact Us. WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford's wife died suddenly today. You can unsubscribe at any time. Husband, Family And Net Worth, Former Memphis Police Officer Demetrius Haley Wife: Is He Married? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Clare Drakeford, wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, dies suddenly Mum-of-three Clare Drakeford was married to the Welsh Labour leader for a number of The thoughts and sympathy of all us in Cardiff Central Labour Party and across the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party are with Mark and his family. living in a separate building in the garden of his family home, Welsh Labour the 'most successful party in the democratic world', Parents jailed after their disabled daughter died weighing 23 stone and lying in her own filth - live updates, Kaylea Titford lived in conditions 'unfit for any animal', Motorists furious as huge caravan transporter crawls through Wales causing miles of tailbacks, Oncoming vehicles struggled to pass the wide load, Man dies in hot tub during tragic accident on holiday, The 56-year-old dad-of-three was found in the hot tub, King 'evicts Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage and offers it to Prince Andrew', Buckingham Palace is said to have issued an eviction notice to the Sussexes amid the fallout from the publication of Harry's controversial memoir Spare, Woman's fitness video sparks massive debate as man refuses to move out of shot, People have strong views on both sides of this argument, while others have questioned whether the video is real or a set-up, Teacher who let boy, 4, leave school alone 'didn't want to be there', Evangeline Edwin claims she handed the child over to a responsible adult, World's best athletes return to Glasgow ten years on from Commonwealth Games, Eilidh Doyle has been announced as ambassador for World Athletics Indoor Championships, Close legal loophole allowing sex offenders to change name, says MP, Move would end 'the real, immediate and significant risk of harm' it poses, MPs were told, Paedophile breached court order by using neighbour's phone to access Facebook, Philllip Ethersee, 46, of Bridgend, was given a suspended prison sentence for attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, Amusing video sees Brits challenged to guess farmer's job based on his appearance, One in three young adults have no clue what duties and responsibilities are involved in the farming and agriculture industry, Wales international set to sign for English giants this week and throw Test career into doubt, Cardiff have been unable to offer him a competitive contract and he's expected to depart imminently, Welsh rugby club make move against WRU's governance changes and hit out at 'do or die' pressure, A Welsh rugby club has offered up an alternative solution to the WRU's plans to modernise governance, Welsh region admit they don't have enough money to form a squad next season, Cardiff have limited funds left to contract a huge number of players to make a squad, Love Island first look sees Maya Jama crash Island Beach Club party for dumping, BBC axe show after 22 years leaving presenter 'very sad', The programme X-Ray, which sought justice for consumers, was first aired in 2001, The hardest secondary schools to get a place at in Cardiff in 2023 revealed, The full list of oversubscribed state secondary schools in Cardiff for September 2023 has been published, The staggering sums of money obese teenager's parents spent on takeaways as she died upstairs, The parents had over 90 takeaways in the month before their daughter's death, BBC's new Men Up drama about Viagra filmed and set in Swansea will star Iwan Rheon and Alexandra Roach, It will tell the true story of one of the world's first medical trials for the male impotence drug and Russell T Davies is executive producer, Lying in her own filth and screaming in pain- the horrifying conditions 23 stone disabled girl died in, Kaylea Titford was willfully let down by those responsible for her care and left in conditions 'unfit for any animal', St David's Day: Michael Sheen, Huw Edwards, Luke Evans and Alex Jones celebrate, Owain Wyn Evans, Amy Dowden, Carol Vorderman and Iwan Rheon also marked the occasion, The full list of schools shutting in Cardiff as teachers strike on March 2, Nearly all schools in the city are affected as thousands of teachers walk out across Wales in row over pay and funding, The Swansea comprehensive school rated just two for food hygiene and how others compare, The council has said it is 'confident' the rating will improve when the kitchen is reassessed. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister." Arrest And Charge. Taking to Twitter, the University wrote: ''The University community is saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mrs Clare Drakeford. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Mr Drakeford said they were in the top four vaccination priority groups "due to their conditions". The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" to hear of her death. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. I know just how close they were as a couple, and I can only imagine the sense of loss Mark and the whole family are feeling. "On the occasions I met Clare, she was always a lovely lady and was very warm and kind. W & C.", The First Minister of Scotland and SNP Leader, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. A spokesperson for the Welsh government confirmed the news saying: "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected." Paying tribute to Clare today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: "My thoughts are with the First Minister and his family at this very difficult time. "The thoughts and sympathy of all us in and across the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party are with Mark and his family.". Read about our approach to external linking. Mark and Clare Drakeford had been married for 46 years. "In this case what pains the first minister has touched many people throughout Wales.". Is there anything wrong with Lauren Boebert health? Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, said: "So shocked and so very sad at the news of Clare Drakeford's death. In December 2018, he was elected as the First Minister of Wales, the head of the Welsh government, and he continues to hold that position. He is also one of the two Co-Princes of Andorra ex officio. "On the occasions I met Clare, she was always a lovely lady and was very warm and kind. WebAnas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Democratic Socialist Party, tweeted: Words cannot express how heartbroken I am for Mark Drakeford and his family at the death of his wife Clare. 2016 In a reshuffle after the 2016 election, he became Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government. "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected. "My thoughts are with you and your family. On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He stayed in a separate structure in the family homes garden while his wife remained inside the main house. The First Minister will attend a reception to Labour leader Keir Starmer said: Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford. Downing Street said the prime minister had offered his "deepest condolences" to Mr Drakeford, 68, privately. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also sent his and his party's condolences, saying: "I know just how close they were as a couple, and I can only imagine the sense of loss Mark and the whole family are feeling. Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford with his wife Clare Credit: AFP Who was Clare Drakeford? But you can follow our other live, real-time coverage on other topics such as theUkraine war, theRoyal Familyand the latest info to help you through theCost of Livingcrisis. He began his political career in 2011 when he was elected as a Member of the Senedd (Welsh Assembly) for Cardiff West. The wife of the First Minister of Wales, Clare Drakeford, has died. The Welsh government confirmed the news of Clare Drakeford's sudden death with "deep sadness", The strength of the bond between Mr and Mrs Drakeford was "obvious", said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, The first minister and his wife attended a service in memory of the Queen at Llandaff cathedral last year. Who is Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford? ", Meg & Harry 'stunned' by King's 'cruel' Frogmore eviction 'punishment', Harry and Meghan evicted from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles after Spare memoir, Emmerdale's Amy Nuttall caught cheating hubby after sexy lingerie slip-up, Constance Marten and lover arrested over manslaughter, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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. ", Presiding Officer Elin Jones said: "As a Senedd we are deeply saddened to learn of Clare Drakefords passing. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.. The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and they had three children together. A spokesman said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the "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. They added: "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected." Rishi Sunak sent his "heartfelt condolences" to Mark Drakeford and his family. "I know how close you were and there are no words to describe the pain you must be feeling," he said. View our online Press Pack. The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, also joined in, saying: "I am sure you will all join me in sending deepest condolences to @MarkDrakeford on the sudden passing of his beloved wife, Clare. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has announced. The couple were living in Cardiff at the time of Mrs Drakeford's death. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news. Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "My heartfelt sympathies go out to the First Minister at this very difficult time. 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