Former MEP Glenys Kinnock, the spouse of ex-Labour chief Neil Kinnock, has died aged 79.
Her husband of 56 years was together with her in her ultimate moments, her household mentioned in a press release, including they had been “devastated” by her loss.
She represented Wales within the European Parliament for 15 years, earlier than being appointed to the House of Lords and turning into minister for Europe beneath the final Labour authorities.
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Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead went on to function minister for Africa.
Her Labour MP son, Stephen, who serves because the shadow immigration minister, described his mom as a “formidable” one that had a “cheeky” sense of humour, whereas opposition chief Sir Keir Starmer hailed the distinguished politician a “true fighter for the Labour Party”.
While an “enormous support” to her husband Neil, who was opposition chief between 1983 and 1992, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair mentioned Lady Kinnock was a “leader in her own right” and her loss of life could be “mourned in many countries and corners of the Earth”.
The Labour peer had been identified with Alzheimer’s six years in the past.
In a press release, her household mentioned: “It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the loss of life of Glenys Kinnock.
“Glenys died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning, at home in London.
“She was the beloved spouse and life accomplice of Neil, the cherished mom of Steve and Rachel and an adored grandmother.
“Neil was with her in her final moments. They had been married for 56 years.
“A proud democratic socialist, she campaigned, in Britain and internationally, for justice and in opposition to poverty all her life.”
The family added: “She was an amazing buddy to many individuals and causes and was really cherished.
“Glenys endured Alzheimer’s after being diagnosed in 2017 and, as long as she could, sustained her merriment and endless capacity for love, never complaining and with the innate courage with which she had confronted every challenge throughout her life.
“The household is in fact devastated and and would ask that their privateness be revered.”
In his own tribute, her son said he was “heartbroken”.
In a post on social media, the Labour MP for Aberavon wrote: “She was a beloved Mum & Nain who was adored by her household & buddies.
“A truly formidable person in every single way, and with such a cheeky sense of humour! Rest in peace.”
Sir Keir mentioned: “Glenys was a passionate lifelong campaigner for social justice at home and abroad.
“She supported Neil by means of his management and went on to have a powerful political profession of her personal as a member of the European Parliament, within the House of Lords and as a minister within the final Labour authorities, centered on Europe and Africa.
“Neil and Glenys had the most wonderful partnership, there for each other through thick and thin, with a love and commitment that was instantly obvious when you saw them together. As the family have detailed, in recent years that meant looking after Glenys as Alzheimer’s did its worst.
“But what we are going to all bear in mind is Glenys as a real fighter for the Labour Party and the values of the labour motion, a pioneering lady, to whom we owe an infinite debt.”
In a statement, Sir Tony said: “She was an enormous determine in progressive politics for many years: extremely good, courageous, decided and resolute in standing up for what she believed was proper.
“Whether in fighting the cause of development, and the eradication of global poverty, social justice in Britain, equality for women or making the case for a European Union of weight and influence in the world, Glenys was passionate and persuasive. She was of course an enormous support to Neil but she was a leader in her own right.
“And as a pair, they had been a pleasure to be close to, stuffed with enjoyable, the life and soul of any gathering.”
He added: “Our deepest condolences to Neil, to Rachel and to Stephen and to all the broader Kinnock household. Glenys might be mourned in lots of international locations and corners of the earth.”
Born on 7 July 1944, Lady Kinnock was educated at Holyhead High School, Anglesey, and later graduated from University College, Cardiff,
She met her future husband at university and they were married in 1967.
Lady Kinnock subsequently worked as a teacher, before becoming an MEP in 1994, and held a number of key roles.
However, her time there was not without controversy, becoming caught up in an expenses scandal and gaining the unenviable reputation as “essentially the most travelled British MEP”.
With the appointment of her husband as a European Commissioner, the couple became known as Brussels’ “very personal Lord and Lady Expenses”.
She left the European Parliament in 2009 to take up a job in Gordon Brown’s administration.
Lady Kinnock is survived by her husband, Neil, and her kids Stephen and Rachel.
Source: information.sky.com”