The documentary ran for nine seasons. His father passed away in 1993 aged 86 years. He got married to Carolyn Eadie. They have now burst forth in a virulent form. For an episode of the 2003 BBC Two series My Week In The Real World, in which politicians stepped into the shoes of members of the public, Portillo took over, for one week, the life, family and income of a single mother living on benefits in Wallasey. Named Carolyn Claire Eadie at birth, Michael Portillos wife was born in North London on the 15th of March 1952. A year later, he was promoted to. Portillo is widely famous for presenting Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys. Press Esc to cancel. Michael told The Express that he and Carolyn have bought a lovely house near Seville due having a large number of cousins in Spain and regularly making the trip for parties and family gatherings. Meat Loaf's retort to Prince Andrew: 'I don't give a s*** who you are! Great British Railway Journeys, Great American Railroad Journeys and Great Indian Railway Journeys are a few of his documentary spin-offs. Having said that, it is no secret she is a British woman who belongs to the caucasian ethnic group. In 2015, he was dragged into controversy when he appeared in the BBC Two documentary series Portillos State Secrets. The series showed him scrutinize a number of classified documents from the British National Archives. He has also hosted documentaries such as Portillos Hidden History of Britain and The Enemy Files.. And then as a representative for Kensington and Chelsea from 1999 to 2005. Michael Portillo - Age, Brothers, Bio & Marriage - Biography pic.twitter.com/Nu98JyYlQL. He wrote of traveling on the Santiago Way as a pilgrim and of serving as a porter at the hospital. Portillo is widely famous for presenting Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys. Returning to the Commons after receiving the Conservative candidacy in Kensington and Chelsea in the 1999 by-election, Portillo joined the front bench as Shadow Chancellor, although his relationship with Conservative Leader William Hague was strained. [96], In June 2013, he presented a series of twelve 15-minute radio programmes (following the daily World at One news programme) on BBC Radio 4 called 1913 the Year Before, about the state of Britain in the years preceding World War I, challenging the view that these years were optimistic and cheerful.[97]. David Mellor had this really bad tempered spat with Jimmy Goldsmith [after the Putney election results had been announced]. Before Fame. [36] In 1996 his ministry undertook the sale of the entire stock of Ministry of Defence (MoD) housing for military personnel to Annington Homes. In 1986 he entered the cabinet and remained a member until 1997. According to his interview with High Profiles, Michael Portillo has three older brothers, although their identities do not appear to have been revealed to the public. Michael Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, former MP and former cabinet minister for the Conservative Party. [76], In early 2016, Portillo began a new BBC travel documentary series Great American Railroad Journeys, which saw him travelling across the United States by rail. In March 2003, he voted in favour of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Portillo was born on May 26, 1953, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. In 1972, he became the head of the London diplomatic office of the government in exile. However, there is no information about his brothers. This gave rise to further allegations. Show less. [2] First elected to the House of Commons in a 1984 by-election, Portillo served as a junior minister under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, before entering the Cabinet in 1992 as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Michael Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister of the Conservative Party. Michael Portillo - IMDb His guests included Bianca Jagger, Grayson Perry, Francis Wheen, Seymour Hersh, PD James, Baroness Williams, George Galloway, Benazir Bhutto and Germaine Greer. It was broadcast on BBC Two on 15 January 2008. [18] Following the Conservative victory in 1979, he became a government adviser to David Howell at the Department of Energy. While all his older brothers were interested in sports, Michael was not. MICHAEL Portillo's lover has spent the past year year coming to terms with the suicide of her estranged partner, it emerged yesterday. Birth Sign Gemini. Michael Portillo (born. He is currently 69 years old as of 2022. Michael Portillo (@portilloandhen) / Twitter Michael left the Chamber of Commons in 2005. [74] A second series was broadcast on BBC Two in 2011, and as of May 2021, there have been a total of thirteen series. She has been seen several times at political events with him. Michael Portillo now works in media as a journalist and TV broadcaster. BBC Two - Michael Portillo: Death of a School Friend [19] He left to work for Kerr-McGee Oil between 1981 and 1983. He grew up in Hertfordshire but also had a Spanish passport, on which his name has been changed to Miguel Portillo y Blyth to comply with Spanish naming conventions. Age 69 years old #126585 Most Popular. They got married in 1982. Michael is also a keen traveller to continents further afield, with his TV work previously having taken him to the opposite side of the world. "[58], In September 2002, Portillo became a non-executive director of the multinational defence contractor BAE Systems. Then he turned to journalism, too. Michael was born to a Scottish mother, Cora Waldegrave, and a Spanish father, Luis Gabriel Portillo, in Bushey, Hertfordshire. [33] He subsequently became Secretary of State for Employment (199495),[34] and then Secretary of State for Defence (19951997). We also cover their personal information since 2018. He was accused of vanity when the Alexandra Palace was hired to celebrate his ten years in politics. Symbolising the loss of the election by the Conservative Party, it has been referred to as "the Portillo moment", and in the clich "Were you up for Portillo?" [29] He demonstrated a consistently right-of-centre line (exemplified by his insistence, in a well-publicised speech, on placing "clear blue water" between the policies of the Conservatives and other parties[30]) and was favoured by Norman Tebbit and Margaret Thatcher, who said of him "[W]e expect great things of you, do not disappoint us". He is also a former member of the Conservative Party, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate. 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Michael Portillo, who is known for his colourful jackets, also pictured with wife Carolyn Eadie, Michael Portillo in a colourful suit jacket, Michael Portillo in his earlier days, back in 1997, Michael Portillo often presents travel and history themed shows on TV following a career as a Tory, Johannes Radebe 'in love' after Strictly John Whaite changed his life, Stacey Solomon issues apology for 'anticlimax' in Joe Swash update, Piers Morgan shut down by Queen with epic quip, Monty Don bids farewell in "personal conclusion" to BBC series, Will miss you Naga Munchetty bids farewell to BBC Breakfast co-star, Heartbroken Adele breaks down as she's forced to cancel shows, Amanda Holden, 50, risks revealing too much in figure-hugging blouse, Yvette Mimieux dead: Prolific star 'found dead' days after 80th bday, Judi Dench suffered frightful fall at home alone. [99] He is President of DEBRA, a British charity working on behalf of people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a genetic skin blistering condition. [11], In 1961, aged eight, Portillo appeared in a television advertisement for Ribena, a blackcurrant cordial drink. Michael has been the chairman of the 2008 Man Booker Prize committee. The same year, he appeared in another BBC documentary, Headroom. It was a unique project that had famous people talking about their struggles with mental issues. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo 26 May 1953) is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister of the Conservative Party who was born and brought up in Bushey, Hertfordshire. On another occasion Portillo exclaimed (as a pundit on This Week) that "short of marching Mrs. May into a railway carriage in the Compigne forest, they could not have produced a more humiliating surrender. Portillo was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, to a Scottish mother and Spanish father. @channel5_tv. Furthermore, he has regularly appeared on the BBC's'This Week'political discussion show and BBC Radio 4's'The Moral Maze'ethical debate show.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'biographyhost_com-box-3','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-3-0'); Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a screenwriter who is mostly known for his broadcast series of railway documentaries likeGreat British Railway Journeys(2010) andGreat Continental Railway Journeys(20122020). By the time he was 8 years of age, Michael had already made his mark. Apart from the facts mentioned already, it is hard to tell anything else about her family background and early life. He has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since February 12, 1982. Ex-politician turned TV presenter, and unexpected fashion icon, Michael Portillo has explained how he and his wife Carolyn Eadie, who will celebrate 40 years of marriage together next month, have purchased a property in Andalucia. Portillo has known Abbott for many years: they both attended schools in the, Illustrious Fife: Literary, Historical, and Architectural Pathways and Walks, Duncan Glen, Akros, 1998, p. 103, Michael Portillo: The Future of the Right, Michael Gove, 1995, p. 12, as Secretary of State for Education and Employment, 2001 Conservative Party leadership election, International Commission on Missing Persons, Richmond, The American International University in London, "Obituary: Cora Blyth de Portillo, linguist", "As a child, a trip over the Forth to Kirkcaldy was one of the great excitements of life", "Fond farewell to Michael Portillo's vivacious mother", "Q&A: Michael Portillo, 54, journalist and television presenter", "In praise of the Settle to Carlisle line", "Margaret Thatcher: her courage, her vision, her legacy", "How the MoD's plan to privatise military housing ended in disaster", "MoD seeks to buy back 38,000 homes leased from firm run by billionaire", "Vanity: the deadliest sin: Linda Grant discovers blowing one's own trumpet is beyond the pale in modest, self-deprecating Britain", "Believe me, Mr Miliband, No 10 is within your grasp", "Portillo speaks of gay experiences 'in past', "Gay past hit Portillo's leadership bid, says Clarke", "We're now witnessing the tragic decline of David Cameron", "Michael Portillo adds voice to calls for EU exit", Extract from This Week broadcast 8 March 2019, "Nigel Farage 'deserves a place in history' for his role in Brexit", "Michael PortilloThe Official WebsiteBiography", "About This Week - When did the Show Start? Thanks to his mixed Spanish and Scottish heritage, he is likely to blend into the warm surroundings well. In terms of her education, there are no publicly available records regarding the schools Carolyn Eadie attended. In 2003 he began the weekly political discussion program This Week on BBC1 with fellow presenters Andrew Neil and Diane Abbott MP. They live with Judy's two children in Edinburgh. Michael Portillo (Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo) was born on 26 May, 1953 in British, is a British Former Conservative politician, journalist and broadcaster. His nationality is British. On 7 May 2020, it was announced that Portillo would join the new digital station Times Radio, which launched in June 2020. The pair married on February 12th, 1982, in a small modest ceremony in London. Is Michael Portillo still married to Carolyn Eadie? But I also saw David Mellor. His birth sign is Gemini. However, there followed press stories, including references to his previous homosexual experiences and to his equivocation at the time of Major's 1995 resignation. In 2002 these included one about Richard Wagner, and one in Spain: Great Railway Journeys: From Granada to Salamanca, for BBC Two (2002). He was also in charge of briefing Margaret Thatcher during the 1979 General Election. [61] From 2002 onwards, Portillo developed an active career in media, both as a commentator on public affairs and as a writer and/or presenter of television and radio documentaries. NFL Player Damar Hamlin in Critical Condition after Collapsing on Field, Legendary Designer Vivienne Westwood Dies Aged 81, 10 Female IAS Officers who can inspire us. Birthplace England. Published 10th Apr 2014, 01:00 BST. [49] He comfortably won the by-election in late November 1999 to represent Kensington and Chelsea, traditionally one of the safest Conservative seats. Returning to the Commons in the 1999 by-election in Kensington and Chelsea, Portillo rejoined the frontbench as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Soon after his graduation, he started working at the Ocean Transport and Trading Ltd.. In September 2011, he presented a two-part series on BBC Radio 4 called Capitalism on Trial. Have something to tell us about this article? Portillo has earned most of his net worth from his successful career as a journalist, broadcaster, and former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister of the Conservative Party from Britain. After two years of their marriage, Eadie had cancer, which resulted in the couple not being able to carry any children. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. He was born in1953. Michael Portillo. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This is so because Carolyn Eadie only gained public attention as a result of her marriage to Michael Portillo. Standing for the leadership of the party in 2001, he finally came in third place behind Iain Duncan Smith and Kenneth Clarke. Is Brittney Griner Trans, A Man or Woman? Carolyn Eadie (born March 15, 1952; Age: 71) is a British businesswoman. [79] This was followed by a series Great Asian Railway Journeys from 27 January 2020,[80] and Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC2, January-February 2022). Using a 1979 edition of Appletons Guidebook on U.S and Canadian railroads, Portillo travels through the U.S. mostly by train, through sometimes using other forms of transport where possible. Carolyn Claire Eadie was raised in North London where she was born. Carolyn has been said to be very supportive of her husband in his political career, and were seen together regularly attending political functions. Furthermore, at to latest, he wasspotted documentingthe 14th series of the show at Arnside Station in September 2021. Nowadays, he never goes anywhere without his signature wardrobe selection of five jackets, each one in a different bright colour. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. From 1981-1983 he worked for Kerr McGee Oil (UK) Ltd. ", "The transformation of Michael Portillo: Less power - but a lot more fun", "Why do some schools produce clusters of celebrities? In November 2003, he turned down an offer of a Shadow Cabinet post from the incoming Conservative leader Michael Howard. The travel documentary has 20 episodes. We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our beloved family members George & Monica, & are struggling to cover the funds to bring our late brother's body back home to the US for a burial, as well as funeral costs for our cousin back home in El Salvador. Police seek kidnappers of contractor's son - UPI Archives Information regarding Michaels annual salary has not yet been disclosed. He is 66 years old as of 2019. Michael returned to politics as a special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Nigel Lawson) and won the by-election in Enfield Southgate in December 1984, triggered by the assassination of Sir Anthony Berry MP in the Brighton bombing. He's seen. He does not have any siblings. Michael Portillo was born on 26th May 1953, making him 69 years old at the time of writing and three years older than his beloved wife, Carolyn. It also means she is a year older than her husband who is 69. [73], In 2009, he filmed a series titled Great British Railway Journeys, in which he explored, with the aid of George Bradshaw's 1863 tourist handbook, how the railways had a profound influence on the social, economic and political history of Britain. Michael Portillo Parents, Siblings, Age, Wiki, Wife, Net Worth & Ethnicity, The Bachelorette 2022 Jason Alabaster: Wiki, Jamey Rootes Wiki, Biography, Cause Of Death, Age, Parents, Wife, Children, Net Worth & More, Sheldon Riley Parents, Age, Wiki, Partner, Net Worth & Height, Mark Selby Wife, Who is Vikki Layton? The British presenter is married to her beautiful wife, Carolyn Claire Eadie. Michael Portillo Aged 7 Years Right Editorial Stock Photo - Shutterstock Portillo joined the multinational defense contractor BAE Systems as a non-executive director in September 2002 and resigned from that position in March 2006. As Defence Secretary, he pressed for a course of "clear blue water": purist policies separating the Conservatives from the Labour Party. However, it has been reported in some quarters that she works with Spencer Stuart in London as a Senior Executive Recruitment Consultant. [43], He had a memorable interview with Jeremy Paxman on election night, prior to the result being called in his own seat. [95] He has also presented a history series on BBC Radio 4 called The Things We Forgot to Remember. Tune into BBC 2 at 6.30pm tonight to catch Michael Portillo jump on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway as part of his Edwardian #train journey. Express. Portillo is 69 years old as of now. He often collaborates with BBC on a number of their programmes and has worked with them as a host and writer. In an interview withJourney Beyond, he disclosed that they own a home near Seville in Spain and reportedly spend most of their time there. His school and college information is not known. Additionally, his father was a staunch Catholic who served as head of the London Diplomatic Office of the Government in Exile in 1972. Picture: REX. For BBC4 he has made several series of Dinner with Portillo, a discussion program, and in 2008 The Ladys not for Spurning (about Margaret Thatchers legacy). Following its success, Michael appeared in another series, Great Continental Railway Journeys, where he explored continental Europe through the prism of the railways. His most famous work is the BBC documentary series Great Railway Journeys, in which he travels and records his experiences in destinations across the world. Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer two years after her marriage to Michael. However, she is known to many as the wife of Michael Portillo, a British journalist, and broadcaster. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This led to the term Portillo moment being coined. His birth sign is Gemini. Discover Michael Portillo's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Michael and Carolyn celebrated 40 years by making an extravagant purchase. Even though Carolyn Eadie and Michael Portillo have been married for over four decades, they have no children together. In 2002, he began hosting the BBC Four show Dinner with Portillo. It was a show that featured political discussions, with Michael engaging in detailed conversations about contemporary politics with seven guests, over a four-course meal. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, politician, broadcaster, and screenwriter, who joined the Conservative Research Department in 1976 and stayed there for three years. Michael Portillo was born on May 26, 1953 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, UK. I thought, "when is Paxman going to ask me have I lost my seat? Michael Portillo - Wikipedia Michael Portillo's 1936 Bradshaw's Guide brings him to the Italian 'treasure island' of Sicily, full of natural beauty and 'scenery of the greatest charm'. Great Coastal Railway Journeys - Wikipedia Will miss you Naga Munchetty bids farewell to BBC Breakfast co-star[UPDATE], Stacey Solomon issues apology for 'anticlimax' in Joe Swash update[OPINION], Heartbroken Adele breaks down as she's forced to cancel shows[BREAKING]. He has since revealed that, prior to the interview, he had already come to believe he had lost his seat:[42].mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, I saw that the exit poll was predicting a 160 seat majority for Labour. Furthermore, he was registered as a Spanish citizen while 4 years old and goes by the Spanish nameMiguel Portillo y Blyth. Who Is Michael Portillo's Wife Carolyn Eadie, Are They Still Married? Manage Settings [67][68], He chose to present Queen Elizabeth I for the BBC's series of Great Britons in 2002. His membership of the Conservative Party has since lapsed. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (/prtlo/; born 26 May 1953)[1] is a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. ", "BBC TWO reveals the ten greatest Britons of all time", "BBC Two Winter/Spring 2007 Press release", "Michael Portillo: Death of a School Friend", "BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys", "Great Continental Railway Journeys, BBC Two, review", "BBC Two Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo", "Michael Portillo takes to the American Railroads", "BBC Two - Great Alaskan Railroad Journeys", "BBC Two - Great Continental Railway Journeys, Series 7, Salamanca to Canfranc", "How the British 'lost' the Easter Rising: In, "Hawks and doves: how the British authorities viewed the War of Independence", "Spanish Civil War with Michael Portillo", "Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo", "GB News hires Michael Portillo in on-screen shake-up as early investor quits channel", "Michael Portillo to chair 2008 Man Booker judges", "Michael Portillo to head up 55m arts fund scheme", "The Right Honourable Michael Portillo to open the 2017 Exhibition", "Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line | FoSCL", "Michael Portillo new president of Friends of the SettleCarlisle Line", "Michael Portillo to lead City of London Sheep Drive", contributions in Parliament by Michael Portillo, The Guardian - Ask Aristotle about Michael Portillo, Defence Secretaries of the United Kingdom, Shadow Chancellors of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Portillo&oldid=1151258646, Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies, British Secretaries of State for Employment, Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, Fellows of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Michael Portillo was sworn in as a member of the, In 2018 Portillo was made a fellow of the, This page was last edited on 22 April 2023, at 22:07. He made his first TV appearance at the age of eight in 1961: he was featured in a television advertisement for Ribena. Many urged Portillo, the "darling of the right", to run against Major. There followed documentaries on the unburied bodies from the Spanish Civil War and on Guantanamo Bay. [102], Portillo is the British chairman of the Anglo-Spanish organisation Tertulias, which organises annual meetings between the two countries. Portillo is 69 years old as of now. Portillo was then asked "are we seeing the end of the Conservative Party as a credible force in British politics?". Michael Portillo Family. His zodic sign is Gemini. Michael Portillo was born on May 26, 1953, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, to Luis Gabriel Portillo and Cora Waldergrave. Furthermore, he has regularly appeared on the BBC'sThis Weekpolitical discussion show and BBC Radio 4'sThe Moral Mazeethical debate show. Michael is a married man. Two years into their marriage, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. They became friends and in the fullness of time, it turned into a romantic relationship. Portillo also presented a similar television series called Great Continental Railway Journeys, following Portillo around continental Europe. I saw this and I thought if there's one thing I do when I lose, I'm going to lose with as much dignity as I can muster and not be like this David MellorGoldsmith thing. He was knocked out in the final round of voting by Conservative MPs, his sexual history according to Kenneth Clarke having damaged his chances,[51] leaving party members to choose between Iain Duncan Smith and Kenneth Clarke. He lived in 1940, at address, California. After landing in Britain, his father continued with politics. Portillos enthusiasm for steam trains led him to make Great British Railway Journeys, a BBC documentary show, starting in 2010, in which he explores the British railway networks, referring to different versions of Bradshaws Guide. 3/15 Michael Portillo follows his 1930s Bradshaw's guide to the unspoilt Sussex port of Rye. He stepped down from that position in March 2006, owing to potential conflicts of interest. [103], Portillo has a strong interest in contemporary visual arts and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federation of British Artists, an educational arts charity. Michael Portillo - Historical records and family trees - MyHeritage He took birth in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. Carolyn is 66 years old and has been married to Michael for over four decades. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. ")[42] Portillo himself commented, thirteen years later, that as a consequence "My name is now synonymous with eating a bucketload of shit in public."[45]. He was known to live an exuberant life and was known in the media as Portaloo. He once rented Alexandra Palace to celebrate his decade-long career in politics.