Chifley, Elizabeth (1886–1962)

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Chifley, Elizabeth (1886–1962)

Australian prime-ministerial wife. Born Elizabeth Gibson McKenzie, Aug 1, 1886, in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia; died Sept 9, 1962, in Bathurst; m. Ben Chifley (16th prime minister of Australia, 1945–49), June 6, 1914; children: none.

When younger, active in local civic organizations; though said to be charming and gracious, later avoided politics and campaigning because of a spinal disease that increasingly impaired mobility.

See also Christine Wright's Portrait of a Lady: Elizabeth Chifley (Mitchell College, 1988).