Shipley, Jenny (1952–)

views updated

Shipley, Jenny (1952–)

Prime minister of New Zealand. Born Jennifer Mary Robson, Feb 4, 1952, in Gore, NZ; m. Burton Shipley (farmer), 1973; children: two.

Elected National MP for Ashburton, later renamed Rakaia (1987); served as minister of Social Welfare (1990–93), minister of Health (1993–96), and minister of Women'sAffairs (1990–96); elected New Zealand's 1st woman prime minister (1997–99); retained the seat of Rakaia and was the Leader of the Opposition (1999–2001); retired (2001); liberal in social policy, conservative economically.