Menzies, Pattie (1899–1995)

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Menzies, Pattie (1899–1995)

Australian prime-ministerial wife. Name variations: Dame Pattie Menzies. Born Pattie Maie Leckie, Mar 2, 1899, in Alexandria, Victoria, Australia; died Aug 30, 1995, in Canberra; dau. of John Leckie, a Deakinite Liberal, member of the federal parliament (1917–19), and United Australia Party senator; m. Robert Menzies (prime minister of Australia, 1939–41, 1949–66), Sept 27, 1920 (died 1978); children: Kenneth (b. 1922), Ian (b. 1923), and Heather Menzies (b. 1928).

Widely respected and politically savvy, was considered crucial to her husband's success; did a makeover of The Lodge (the official prime-ministerial residence) and Government House in Canberra; was involved in the Free Kindergarten movement and served as president of a number of Women's Hopital Auxiliaries; accompanied her husband on many overseas tours. Awarded Dame Grand Cross of the British Empire (GBE, 1954), one of only 3 Australians to receive the award.

See also Diana Langmore, Prime Ministers' Wives (McPhee Gribble, 1992).