Edward Seaga Biography
Seaga was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where his wealthy Jamaican parents, Philip Seaga, a businessman of Lebanese descent, and his wife, Erna (nee Maxwell), of mixed European and African heritage, had been living at the time of his birth. When their son was three months old they returned to Jamaica, where Edward attended the Wolmer’s boys’ school in Kingston before returning to the US to study at Harvard University, gaining a degree in social sciences in 1952.
Edward Seaga Wiki/Political Career
Seaga’s political career began in 1959 when Sir Alexander Bustamante, the founder of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), nominated him to serve in the Upper House of the Jamaica Legislature in the Legislative Council (later the Senate). His appointment at age 29 made him the youngest member ever appointed to the Legislative Council, which established the framework for national independence in August 1962.
In April 1962, Seaga was elected Member of Parliament for Western Kingston and he held that seat for 40 consecutive years. Immediately after winning his seat in 1962, Seaga was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Development and Welfare. Following the 1967 General Elections, he was made Minister of Finance and Planning and in 1974 he became Leader of the JLP and the Parliamentary Opposition until the General Elections of October 30, 1980, when the Jamaica Labour Party won a landslide victory over the People’s National Party (PNP). The mandate of Seaga and the JLP was renewed in the uncontested 1983 General Elections. He remained Prime Minister until February 1989.
BREAKING: Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga has died. He was 89. Mr. Seaga was seriously ill and had been battling a chronic disease. At the time of his death, he was admitted to hospital in Florida in the United States. pic.twitter.com/BaPcZR8Sew
— Nationwide90FM (@Nationwideradio) May 28, 2019
He was the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005, during which time he lost five (1976, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2002) of the six general elections contested.
In 2008, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Technology, Jamaica and two years later he became the institution’s second chancellor after his predecessor, Lord Morris Handsworth, retired.
He was chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association, one of Jamaica’s governing football bodies, from its inception until 2010. He also served as president of the football club of his former West Kingston enclave, Tivoli Gardens.
Edward Seaga Education
He was educated at Wolmer’s Boys’ School in Jamaica and graduated from Harvard University in 1952 with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Social Sciences.
There is never a dull moment when Papa Eddie attends a party.
He is the master of entertainment. ??
Help me wish former Prime Minister the Most Hon Edward Seaga a happy birthday. ??? pic.twitter.com/8BCkla4ibR
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) May 28, 2019
Edward Seaga Age
He was born on May 28, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, the United States as Edward Philip George Seaga. He died on May 28, 2019, in Miami, Florida, United States aged 89.
Edward Seaga Wife
On August 22, 1965, Seaga married his first wife Marie Elizabeth “Mitsy” Constantine, Miss Jamaica 1965. They had three children, two sons, Christopher and Andrew, and a daughter Anabella. This marriage was dissolved in 1995.
On 14 June 1996, he married his second wife Carla Frances Vendryes. They had a daughter Gabrielle who was born on 16 September 2002.
“We must determine what is good and reject vehemently what is not, or we will become modern day slaves to new masters in a new colonial-like regime making true independence a fiction.”
Edward Seaga, born 89 years ago today, on 28 May 1930. Jamaica’s fifth Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/mIIrolLcte
— Wayne Chen (@wcchen) May 28, 2019
Edward Seaga Children
Seaga had four children, Christopher Seaga, Gabrielle Seaga, Andrew Seaga and Anabella Seaga.
Edward Seaga Family
Seaga was born on May 28, 1930, to the late Phillip George Seaga and Erna Seaga (nee Maxwell).
Edward Seaga Death
Edward Seaga died on his 89th birthday on May 28, 2019. Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed his death in a statement:
“It is with great sadness that I inform the nation of the passing of the Most Honourable Edward Phillip George Seaga, the fifth prime minister of Jamaica. The family of Mr Seaga has asked me to express gratitude on their behalf for the many prayers and messages of comfort and support offered by the people of Jamaica. The necessary arrangements are in place for Mr Seaga’s body to be flown back to Jamaica at the earliest possible time.”
Edward Seaga Cause of Death
Edward Seaga’s cause of death was cancer.
Edward Seaga Nationality
He was American, Jamaican nationality.
(1/2) Happy birthday to former Prime Minister the Most Hon Edward Seaga – ‘Papa Eddie’
Mr. Seaga who is Jamaica’s 5th Prime Minister presided over a period of outstanding national growth and development from 1980-1989. pic.twitter.com/vXyAiHq2kV
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) May 28, 2019
Edward Seaga Ethnicity
His father was of Lebanese Jamaican descent, and his mother was Jamaican of African, Scottish and Indian descent.
Edward Seaga Net Worth
This information is being updated.
In memory of Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, we compiled this video of his last day in Parliament & representational politics. pic.twitter.com/fwFgCzdJWv
— Nationwide90FM (@Nationwideradio) May 28, 2019