Simon William “Bill” English
Politician

New Zealander Lumsden, New Zealand

Quick Info

Profession	Politician
Nationality	New Zealander
Date of Birth	30/12/1961
Age	64 years
Birthplace	Lumsden, New Zealand

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Bio/Wiki

Real Name	Simon William "Bill" English
Nickname	Not Known

Physical Stats & More

Height	170 cm
Weight	72 kg
Eye Color	Blue
Hair Color	White

Educational Qualification(s)

School	St Thomas's School in Winton, St. Patrick's College in Upper Hutt
College	University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington
Degrees	Degree in Commerce Degree in English Literature

Personal Life

Zodiac Sign/Sun Sign	Capricorn
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Address	Premier House, Wellington

Family

Father	Mervyn English
Mother	Norah English
Siblings	One of 12 children, English grew up in Dipton, Southland
Spouse	Mary Scanlon English
Children	Rory English Xavier English Luke English Bartholomew English Thomas English Maria English Luke English, Bartholomew English, Thomas English (uncertain about their gender)

Career

Political Journey	In 1980 English joined the National Party when he was a student at Victoria University. In 1996, English was raised to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister Jim Bolger, English became the Minister for Crown Health Enterprises and Associate Minister of Education. After the National Party lost the 1999 election to Helen Clark's Labour Party, English continued in the shadow cabinet as National's spokesperson for finance. In October 2001, after Jenny Shipley resigned as leader of the National Party, English was elected as her replacement unopposed and consequently became Leader of the Opposition. In the 2008 election, English became Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Minister of Finance. On 5 December 2016, John Key announced he would resign on 12 December and endorsed English as his successor. A farmer and public servant before entering politics, English was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1990 as the National Party's candidate in the Wallace electorate. After leading National to its worst-ever election result in 2002, English was replaced as party leader in 2003. English served as the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 12 December 2016 to 26 October 2017. He was leader of the National Party from 2001 to 2003 and 2016 to 2018. Elected as National MP for Wallace in 1990. In 1996, English was raised to the Cabinet by Prime Minister Jim Bolger, becoming Minister for Crown Health Enterprises and Associate Minister of Education. In 1999, briefly served as Minister of Finance under Jenny Shipley. From 1996 represented the electorate of Clutha-Southland before becoming a list-only MP in 2014. In 2006, when John Key became leader, English returned to the deputy role. Lost the 2017 general election to Labour's Jacinda Ardern, who was backed by New Zealand First and the Green Party.
Biggest Rival	Jonathan Coleman
Post-Political Career	Chairman of Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Chair of Impact Lab Ltd Chair of Manawanui Support Ltd Director of the Paul Ramsay Foundation Director of TMG Cloudland Director of Centre for Independent Studies Director of The Todd Corporation Limited Board member of West Farmers Limited

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Bill English's smoking habits are unknown.
2. Bill English does consume alcohol.
3. English became the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand on December 12, 2016.
4. His parents were the owners of Rosedale, a farm in Dilton, Southland.
5. English is known for his socially conservative beliefs.
6. He met his wife, Mary Scanlon, during their time at University; she studied medicine and later became a general practitioner.
7. Mary Scanlon's parents were immigrants, with her father being of Samoan descent and her mother being born on the Italian island of Stromboli.
8. Bill and Mary English have six children.
9. For his service to New Zealand, he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.
10. Post-politics, he has served in corporate roles including Chairman of Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, Chair of Impact Lab Ltd and Manawanui Support Ltd, and director of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, TMG Cloudland, Centre for Independent Studies, and The Todd Corporation Limited.
11. After 26 years as an MP, including 11 as a Cabinet minister and eight as Deputy PM, English secured the top job in 2016, but his grip on power lasted just over 10 months.
12. Under English's direction New Zealand's economy maintained steady growth during National's three terms of government.

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