Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern (Bartholomew Patrick Ahern) is the tenth Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland. He was born on September 12, 1951 and was educated at University College Dublin as an accountant.
| Rank: | 10th | |
| First Term: | June 26 1997 - | |
| Predecessor: | John Bruton | |
| Successor: | ||
| Date of Birth: | September 12 1951 | |
| Place of Birth: | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Profession: | Accountant | |
| Political Party: | Fianna Fáil | |
Ahern also attended St. Patrick's National School in Drumcondra, St. Aidan's Christian Brothers in Whitehall, and Rathmines College of Commerce. In 1977 Ahern was elected to the Dáil as a Fianna Fáil candidate. He was appointed as assistant government whip in 1980. In 1982 he became Minister of State for the Department of the Taoiseach and for Defence, he was also Chief Whip for the Fianna Fáil Government.
He was Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1986-1987, then Minister of Labour in Charles Haughey's government. Ahern was a strong supporter of Haughey and was a popular character in the government. Ahern survived the fall of his mentor and was promoted to Minister for Finance under Albert Reynolds in November 1991. In 1994 Ahern succeeded Reynolds as Fianna Fáil leader.
After the 1997 general election Ahern entered into a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats. He was appointed Taoiseach on 26 June 1997. That government became the longest serving government in the history of the state lasting a full five years. In the 2002 general election Ahern and Fianna Fáil almost secured an overall majority. Another coalition was formed between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.
He is separated from his wife, Miriam. His relationship with his longterm partner, Celia Larkin, ended, according to media reports, in April 2003.
| Preceded by: John Bruton 9th Taoiseach (1994-1997) | Prime
Ministers of Ireland Taoisigh na hÉireann | Succeeded
by: currently in office. |