Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84 (2024)

Brian Mulroney, the former prime minister of Canada, listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico relationship on Jan. 30, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84 (2)

Brian Mulroney, the former prime minister of Canada, listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico relationship on Jan. 30, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

TORONTO — Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who forged close ties with two Republican U.S. presidents through a sweeping free trade agreement that was once vilified but now celebrated, died Thursday. He was 84.

The country's 18th prime minister died peacefully and surrounded by family, daughter Caroline Mulroney said in a post on X. Mulroney's family said last summer he was improving daily after a heart procedure that followed treatment for prostate cancer in early 2023. A family spokesman said Mulroney died at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was being treated after a recent fall.

Leader of the Progressive Conservative party from 1983 to 1993, Mulroney served almost a decade as prime minister after he was first elected in 1984 after snagging the largest majority in Canadian history with 211 of 282 seats.

The win would mark Canada's first Conservative majority government in 26 years. His government was re-elected in 1988. Mulroney entered the job with widespread support, but he left with the lowest approval rating in Canadian history. His Progressive Conservative party suffered a devastating defeat just after he left office. But in the years after the loss, prime ministers sought his advice.

"He had the courage to do big things," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. "He shaped our past, but he shapes our present and he will impact our future as well. He was an extraordinary statesman and he will be deeply, deeply missed."

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, left, greets then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they arrive at a state dinner, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Ottawa, Ontario. Justin Tang/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Justin Tang/AP

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84 (4)

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, left, greets then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they arrive at a state dinner, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Ottawa, Ontario.

Justin Tang/AP

The man known for his charm and Irish blarney — a gift for the gab — was an ardent advocate of stronger U.S.-Canadian relations. He pushed a free trade deal forward in no small part due to his chumminess with U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Few Canadians around during his reign have forgotten the widely broadcast Mulroney-Reagan duet of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" at the Shamrock summit in Quebec City in 1985, named after the pair's Irish heritage and the fact that their meeting fell on St. Patrick's Day. The 24-hour meeting opened the door to future free trade talks between the countries.

Along with a fan base of fellow conservative Margaret Thatcher, Mulroney can also boast of an enduring friendship with former President George H.W. Bush.

Mulroney delivered a eulogy for Bush's state funeral. He also eulogized Reagan in 2004. Mulroney,

Reagan and Bush became friends when they shared the world stage as leaders of their countries during the last decade of the Cold War. Mulroney's nine years in power overlapped with Bush's four.

Asia

Why Canada is forced to reexamine its policies and its identity

It was Mulroney's amiable relationship with his southern counterparts that helped develop the free-trade treaty, a hotly contested pact at the time. The trade deal led to a permanent realignment of the Canadian economy and huge increases in north-south trade. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S.

"He unleashed free enterprise, crushed inflation, restored fiscal sanity and concluded one of the greatest free trade agreements the world has ever seen," Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said in a statement.

"On the world stage, he stood firmly on the side of Western allies against communism and for freedom. He was among the first and most strident to fight against South Africa's apartheid policy and champion the cause of Nelson Mandela."

However, Mulroney's administration was saddled with scandals and his near decade reign as prime minister came crashing down in 1993 when voters delivered a devastating election defeat to his Progressive Conservative Party, leaving it with just two seats in the 295-member House of Commons. He left shortly before the election result.

The defeat came amid widespread unhappiness over Canada's then-depressed economy. Canadians blamed Mulroney for a three-year-old recession that left a record number of people out of work or bankrupt.

World

In Canada, ice canoeing season kicks off on a frozen river

Under his leadership, a much-criticized 7% sales tax was pushed through, as well as the 1988 U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, after more than 100 years of tariff protection. The agreement later included Mexico in 1994, evolving into the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"Prime Minister Mulroney's instrumental role in the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement laid the foundation for decades of economic cooperation and shared prosperity between the United States and Canada," the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, said in a statement.

Mulroney, the Quebec-born, half-Irish "boy from Baie-Comeau" (a small-town in the French-speaking province), campaigned hard on the trade agreement following his first term.

But many constituents opposed the treaty, concerned the agreement would jeopardize Canadian sovereignty. Critics blamed the rising unemployment during the late '80s and early '90s in Canada on factors such as businesses moving south to escape higher Canadian taxes and labor costs.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted Mulroney was vilified for the free trade deal during his leadership but said history will remember him as the leader who set Canada on a path to unprecedented economic growth and prosperity.

World

Canada issues travel advisory warning over U.S. states' LGBTQ+ laws

Mulroney also irked Canadians by failing to unite the country's then bickering provinces and resolve French-speaking Quebec's desire for special status in the constitution, eventually leading to what would become a referendum on Quebec separation after he left office. The Quebec separatists lost a narrow vote.

"He helped revive the conservative party. It didn't exist in Quebec before him," former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said.

Mulroney was born March 20, 1939, in Baie-Comeau, an isolated smelting town on Quebec's North Shore. The town mill was American-owned. Mulroney was raised on the notion that American investment meant jobs for his father and the other families in Baie-Comeau.

Hired as a labor lawyer by Montreal's largest law firm, he later became the president of the Iron Ore Company of Canada, a subsidiary of Cleveland-based Hanna Mining.

In 1972, he met a bikini-clad Mila Pivnicki by the pool at the Mount Royal Tennis Club. She was 14 years his junior. She would become his wife at age 19.

Mulroney leaves behind wife Mila and four children: Caroline, Ben, Mark and Nicolas.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84 (2024)

FAQs

What caused the death of Brian Mulroney? ›

On February 29, 2024, Mulroney died at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida. He had been hospitalized as the result of a fall at his home in Palm Beach. Mulroney's remains were repatriated on March 8, 2024, arriving at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport.

Why was Brian Mulroney controversial? ›

Although he places average or above average in rankings of Canadian prime ministers, his legacy remains controversial. He was criticized for his role in the resurgence of Quebec nationalism and accused of corruption in the Airbus affair, a scandal that came to light only several years after he left office.

Who was the ex prime minister of Canada who died? ›

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that a state funeral will be held for the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada, who passed away on February 29, 2024.

Is Mila Mulroney still married to Brian Mulroney? ›

Milica "Mila" Mulroney (Serbian Cyrillic: Милица "Мила" Пивнички; née Pivnički; born July 13, 1953) is the widow of the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney.

Did Brian Mulroney's granddaughter sing at his funeral? ›

Brian Mulroney's granddaughter sang a version of 'Mais Qu'est Ce Que J'ai' by Yves Montand at his funeral.

Was Brian Mulroney a liberal? ›

Brian Mulroney in 1984. A conservative, he served two terms as prime minister (1984-1993). He led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in two general elections, winning back to back majority governments (1984) and (1988). He was the first Conservative prime minister to do so since Prime Minister Sir John A.

Who replaced Brian Mulroney as prime minister? ›

Kim Campbell in 2009. A Progressive Conservative, Campbell was the first woman to serve as prime minister. She served one short term in 1993. She succeeded Brian Mulroney as prime minister and then led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in the general election of 1993.

Who did Brian Mulroney defeat to become prime minister? ›

Prime Minister after election

In the largest landslide victory in Canadian political history, the Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party), led by Brian Mulroney, defeated the incumbent governing Liberal Party led by Prime Minister John Turner.

How old was Mila Mulroney when she met Brian? ›

In 1973, Brian Mulroney married 19-year-old Mila Pivnicki, a Serbian Canadian who immigrated to Canada with her family in 1958.

Who is Justin Trudeau's half sister? ›

Trudeau has three half-siblings, Kyle and Alicia, from his mother's remarriage to Fried Kemper, and Sarah, from his father's relationship with Deborah Coyne.

What caused Pierre Trudeau death? ›

Trudeau died on Thursday, September 28 at 3:00 p.m. at his home in Montréal with his surviving sons, Justin (who became the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada in 2015) and Sacha, and his former wife, Margaret at his side. His death came 20 days before his 81st birthday. He had Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer.

Who is Justin Trudeau's son? ›

What were Brian's last words to Mila? ›

She recalled her father's final hours in a Florida hospital, when Mila Mulroney put her hands on her husband's cheeks and said, “Oh Brian, are you coming back to me?” In response, a tired Brian Mulroney looked at his wife of 51 years and said, in his final words, “I plan to.”

Was Ryan Reynolds at Mulroney's funeral? ›

Among those in attendance were Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, actor Ryan Reynolds, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Loblaws' Galen Weston, Quebec Premier Francois Legault, former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper, and former broadcaster Peter Mansbridge.

What will Mila Mulroney do now? ›

Today she maintains her leadership role on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis. Mrs. Mulroney also co-chairs Table of Hope/La Table du Partage, a leading Montreal charity that provides thousands of meals to more than 33 schools in Montreal neighbourhoods.

Who were the honorary pallbearers at Brian Mulroney's funeral? ›

A number of former Quebec premiers participated as honorary pallbearers, including Lucien Bouchard, Pierre Marc Johnson, Pauline Marois and Philippe Couillard. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest referred to Mulroney as “one of those rarest political leaders — and able to define an era as his own.”

Did Brian Mulroney have any siblings? ›

Education and Early Life

Brian Mulroney was born and raised in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. He was the third of six children and the oldest son of Irish immigrant parents Benedict and Mary Irene (née O'Shea) Mulroney. His father, an electrician at the local paper mill, was anxious that his children escape their small town.

How many grandchildren do the Mulroneys have? ›

Mulroney said his father's other important legacy is his 16 beloved grandchildren.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6027

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.