Norma Major

Dame Norma Christina Elizabeth, Lady Major DBE (née Wagstaff, formerly Johnson; born 12 February 1942) is an English philanthropist who is the wife of former British prime minister Sir John Major.

Dame Norma Major DBE
Spouse of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In role 28 November 1990 – 2 May 1997
Prime Minister	John Major
Preceded by	Denis Thatcher
Succeeded by	Cherie Blair
Personal details
Born	Norma Christina Elizabeth Wagstaff 12 February 1942 Shropshire, England
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Sir John Major ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	2
Education	London South Bank University
Occupation	Dressmaker philanthropist writer biographer

Early life

She is the daughter of Norman Wagstaff and Edith Johnson, and was born Norma Christina Elizabeth Wagstaff. She was born in Shropshire while her father was stationed there during World War II. He was killed in a motorcycle accident a few days after the end of the Second World War, when Norma was just three years old, and her mother subsequently reverted to using her maiden name, so she was known as Norma Johnson growing up.

The young Norma was educated at a boarding school in Bexhill-on-Sea, Oakfield Preparatory School in Dulwich, and Peckham School for Girls where she was head girl. She was a skilled dressmaker.[1] She was also a member of the Young Conservatives.[1]

Marriage

At a Conservative Party meeting during the campaign for the 1970 Greater London Council elections, she was introduced to John Major.[1] The couple married on 3 October 1970.

They have a son together, James Major,[2] and a daughter, Elizabeth Major.[3] She kept a low profile during the time her husband was in office as Prime Minister (1990–1997), doing charity work and writing two books, Chequers: The Prime Minister's Country House and its History (1997) and Joan Sutherland: The Authorised Biography (1994).[1]

Charity work

In June 1999, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours, in recognition of her charity work.[1] Major is a supporter of Mencap,[1] and has been credited with helping to raise £6,000,000 for the charity.[4]

References

1. "John Major". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
2. "Major minor goes home". BBC News. 29 July 2000. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
3. "The miraculous Major-Balls". BBC News. 21 May 1999. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
4. "Norma Major honoured for fundraising". BBC News. 12 June 1999. Retrieved 16 July 2010.