Dame Arlene Isabel Foster MLA PC (née Kelly; born 17 July 1970)[2] is a Northern Irish politician. She was the First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2020 until 2021, having also served this role from 2016 to 2017. She also was the leader of the largest Northern Irish political party, the Democratic Unionist Party, from 2015 until 2021. She was a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing Fermanagh and South Tyrone from 2003 until 2021. She strongly supports Northern Ireland staying in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Protestant Church of Ireland.
Quick facts The Right Honourable Dame, First Minister of Northern Ireland ...
Arlene Foster |
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 Foster in 2024 |
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In office
11 January 2020 – 14 June 2021 |
| Preceded by | Herself (2017) |
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| Succeeded by | Paul Givan |
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In office
11 January 2016 – 9 January 2017[a] |
| Preceded by | Peter Robinson |
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| Succeeded by | Herself (2020) |
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In office
17 December 2015 – 28 May 2021 |
| Deputy | The Lord Dodds of Duncairn |
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| Preceded by | Peter Robinson |
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| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
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In office
11 May 2015 – 12 January 2016 |
| Preceded by | Simon Hamilton |
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| Succeeded by | Mervyn Storey |
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In office
9 June 2008 – 11 May 2015 |
| Preceded by | Nigel Dodds |
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| Succeeded by | Jonathan Bell |
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In office
8 May 2007 – 9 June 2008 |
| Preceded by | Dermot Nesbitt |
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| Succeeded by | Sammy Wilson |
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In office
26 November 2003 – 6 October 2021 |
| Preceded by | Joan Carson |
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| Succeeded by | Deborah Erskine |
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| Born | Arlene Isabel Kelly
(1970-07-17) 17 July 1970 (age 55)[1]
Enniskillen, Northern Ireland |
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| Nationality | British |
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| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party (2004–2021) |
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Other political
affiliations | Independent (2003–2004)
Ulster Unionist Party (before 2003) |
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| Spouse(s) | Brian Foster |
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| Children | 3 |
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| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
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| Website | Official website |
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| ^a Foster served as Acting FM from 11 January 2010 to 3 February 2010 and from 10 September 2015 to 20 October 2015 while Robinson was on leave. |
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On 28 April 2021, after more than 20 DUP MLAs and four DUP MPs signed a letter "...voicing no confidence in her leadership", Foster announced that she would resign as party leader on 28 May 2021 and as First Minister and MLA in June 2021.[3]
