Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

Sophie Grégoire (French: [sɔfi ɡʁeɡwɑʁ]; born April 24, 1975), also known as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau,[1][2][3][4] is a former television host. She is married to the 23rd prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. She is involved in charity work and public speaking, focusing mainly on women's and children's issues.

For the Canadian musician, see Sophie Trudeau (musician).

Sophie Grégoire
Grégoire Trudeau in 2017
Spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada
Incumbent
Assumed office November 4, 2015
Preceded by	Laureen Harper
Personal details
Born	Sophie Grégoire (1975-04-24) April 24, 1975 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Justin Trudeau ( m. 2005)
Children	3
Alma mater	McGill University Université de Montréal
Occupation	Media personality

Early life and education

Grégoire was born on April 24, 1975, in Montreal, Quebec,[5] the only child of Jean Grégoire, a stockbroker, and Estelle Blais, a Franco-Ontarian nurse.[6][7][8] Her family lived north of the city, in Sainte-Adèle,[6] eventually relocating to Montreal when she was four years old.[9] She was raised thereafter in Montreal's Mount Royal suburb, where she was a classmate and childhood friend of Michel Trudeau, the youngest son of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his wife Margaret; and brother of Grégoire's future husband, Justin Trudeau.[6]

Grégoire has stated that her "childhood was a happy one", noting that she was a good student who made friends easily and loved sports and the outdoors.[9] However, beginning around the age of 17, she struggled with bulimia nervosa.[9][10] The problem lasted into her early 20s, when she revealed the illness to her parents and subsequently began a two-year period of recovery; she credits therapy, the support of her loved ones, and yoga with her recovery from the illness.[10][11]

Grégoire attended high school at the private Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie in Outremont.[12] She subsequently attended the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf before studying commerce at McGill University, intending to follow her father's career path,[13] but soon switched to communications, and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the Université de Montréal.[13]

Career and charity work

Grégoire with Juliana Awada, First Lady of Argentina in Buenos Aires, November 2018.

Grégoire's first job was as a receptionist and assistant at an advertising firm. She was promoted to an account manager, but after three years of working in advertising, public relations, and sales,[14] she decided to attend radio and television school, where she immediately knew, "I had found my calling".[9] After completing her studies there, Grégoire got a job in a newsroom, writing the news ticker. A lover of culture, arts, and films, when she became aware of an opening at Quebec television station LCN for an entertainment reporter, she applied and was successful in obtaining the position.[9][14] In addition to serving as an entertainment reporter for LCN's daily Showbiz segment, she contributed to segments on Salut Bonjour Weekend, Clin d'œil, and Bec et Museau for TVA, and hosted Canal Évasion's Escales de Rêves and Canal Z's Teksho. Grégoire also served as co-host on CKMF Radio's morning shows and contributed to Radio-Canada's Coup de Pouce.[14] Additionally, she worked in the mid-2000s as a personal shopper for upscale department store Holt Renfrew.[6]

eTalk

In 2005, Grégoire attended a charity function where she met several CTV Television Network employees. This led to her being hired in September 2005 as a reporter for eTalk, CTV's Canadian entertainment news show.[9] She served until 2010 as eTalk's Quebec correspondent, and focused her reporting on the philanthropy and activism of celebrities.[9][15][16]

Charity

Grégoire is actively involved in charity work, volunteering for several Canadian charities and non-profit organizations.[17] Causes she supports include Sheena's Place[17] and BACA, both of which assist those suffering from eating disorders;[12] La Maison Bleue, a drop-in centre for at-risk pregnant mothers;[15] Dove's "Pay Beauty Forward" campaign and Self-Esteem Fund,[18] Girls for the Cure;[17] the Canadian Cancer Society;[19] the Canadian Mental Health Association;[17] the Women's Heart and Stroke Association;[17] and WaterCan.[17]

As part of her work with WaterCan, Grégoire travelled to Ethiopia in October 2006 with her mother-in-law, Margaret Trudeau, who is the honorary president of the organization.[20] Their trip was featured in a CTV documentary, "A Window Opens: Margaret and Sophie in Ethiopia", which aired in May 2007.[21]

Grégoire is the national ambassador for Plan Canada's "Because I am a Girl" initiative,[17][22][23] and the official spokesperson for The Shield of Athena, which helps women and children dealing with domestic violence.[5][17] Grégoire also works as a professional public speaker, focusing primarily on women's issues.[5]

Personal life

Sophie Trudeau and her husband in Hamburg, 2017

Grégoire first met Justin Trudeau, the eldest son of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, when they were both children in Montreal, where Grégoire was a classmate and childhood friend of the youngest Trudeau son, Michel.[6] Grégoire and Trudeau reconnected as adults in June 2003, when they were assigned to co-host a charity ball, and began dating several months later.[6][24] They became engaged in October 2004,[6] and married on May 28, 2005, in a ceremony at Montreal's Sainte-Madeleine d'Outremont Church.[25] They have three children: a boy born in 2007, a girl born in 2009, and a boy born in 2014.[26][27][28][29]

Grégoire is reported to have introduced her brother-in-law Alexandre to his future wife Zoë Bedos.[30]

After her husband became a Member of Parliament for Montreal's Papineau riding in 2008, Grégoire continued to live in their Montreal home with their children, while Trudeau stayed at a hotel in Ottawa during the week.[15][31] In June 2013, two months after Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, the couple sold their home in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood and began living in a rented home in the Rockcliffe Park area of Ottawa.[31]

Grégoire Trudeau's husband Justin Trudeau was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Canada on November 4, 2015. After the end of the 2015 election, Grégoire Trudeau indicated her preference for the hyphenated surname of "Grégoire-Trudeau", but she switched to using the unhyphenated form in March 2016.[1]

Grégoire is fluent in French, English, and Spanish.[23] She became a certified yoga instructor in 2012.[22][23]

On March 12, 2020, Grégoire isolated herself at Rideau Cottage, along with her husband and children, after she showed flu-like symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, shortly after she returned from a speaking engagement in the United Kingdom.[32] The Prime Minister's Office announced later that day that she had tested positive for COVID-19.[33] By March 28, she had recovered.[34]

"Smile Back At Me"

On January 18, 2016, Grégoire Trudeau made the impromptu decision to sing a work she composed, entitled "Smile Back at Me" at the end of a speech in honour of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Ottawa City Hall.[35][36] Mike Strobel, of the Toronto Sun, said the crowd gave her a standing ovation.[37] Toronto Star pop music critic Ben Rayner said the song was "out of pitch" and "cast serious doubt upon her musical judgment".[38] In Maclean's, Michael Barclay (formerly a music critic), described the song as "fine", although not designed to be sung a capella, and that Grégoire's voice was "surprisingly strong".[39] Remixed versions of the song were released online afterward.[40][41]

References

1. Treble, Patricia (March 14, 2016). "Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and the mystery of the disappearing hyphen". Maclean's. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
2. Kingston, Anne (November 27, 2015). "Sophie Grégoire-What? It may be 2015, but not for political wives". Maclean's. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
3. "Sophie Grégoire Trudeau". Liberal.ca. Liberal Party of Canada. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
4. https://www.readability.com/articles/2exrmlpp
5. Radia, Andy (April 15, 2013). "Sophie Gregoire: the woman behind Justin Trudeau". Yahoo News Canada. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
6. George, Lianne (May 31, 2005). "When Justin met Sophie". Macleans. Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
7. Petrowski, Nathalie (April 22, 2013). "Sophie Sophie Grégoire: l'aventure commence". La Presse. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
8. "Mr. and Mrs. Jean Gregoire". The Ottawa Journal. October 26, 1967. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
9. Diamond, Erica (October 5, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Erica Diamond Sits Down With Sophie Grégoire Trudeau". Women on the Fence. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
10. "Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau says she's 'a healthy woman'". Windsor Star. September 11, 2008. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
11. White, Nancy J. (April 10, 2013). "Sophie Grégoire raising awareness for eating disorders". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
12. "Eating disorders: Sophie Gregoire lends her own story". Montreal Gazette. Canada.com. November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
13. "Sophie Grégoire, Justin Trudeau's Wife, Full of Surprises". Huffington Post Canada. December 20, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
14. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau wears Marie Saint Pierre". The Heart Truth. February 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
15. Hayashi, Yuki (2010). "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau: Mama with a Mission". Canadian Families. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
16. "CTV Names Quebec Media Personality Sophie Grégoire To eTalk Daily Team". Bell Canada Enterprises – News Releases. September 5, 2005. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
17. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau credits expert and family support, broadened awareness and therapy in aiding eating disorder recovery at the 12th annual Sheena's Place Breakfast presented by Scotiabank". Yahoo News Canada. April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
18. Hampson, Sarah (September 29, 2008). "She brings her own star quality to the Trudeau legacy". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
19. "Life Lessons From Canada's 'First Lady'Don't be afraid to share your story". Complex. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
20. "Ethiopia trip an eye-opening journey for Trudeaus". CTV News. May 11, 2007. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
21. "Special Friends: Margaret and Sophie's Trip". WaterCan. 2007. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
22. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau: The Momterview". This Mom Loves (blog). September 21, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
23. Kalbfuss, Elisabeth (April 2013). "A talk with Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau". Montreal Families. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
24. Jane Taber (October 30, 2004). "News for the Mulroneys is simply grand". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 1, 2015. If not for her it's entirely possible that Justin Trudeau would never have met Sophie Grégoire and then there would be no engagement, no wedding and no happy ever after.
25. "Justin Trudeau weds". CBC News. May 30, 2005. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
26. Gordon, Sean (October 19, 2007). "Trudeau clan adds baby Xavier to its ranks". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
27. "Justin and Sophie Trudeau Welcome Daughter Ella-Grace". People. February 7, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
28. "'Welcome to the world': Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Grégoire name new son Hadrian". National Post. February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
29. "That's Hadrien Trudeau: new baby, new spelling". Toronto Star. March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
30. Dominic Berry (July 15, 2006). "Summer attack of neo-Trudeaumania .. all just a sign of perfect storm to come?". counterweights. Retrieved October 26, 2015. “Trudeau and Zoe Bedos have been together for a few months. She was apparently introduced to Alexandre by Sophie Gregoire, wife of Trudeau’s older brother Justin.”
31. McGregor, Glen (August 10, 2013). "Trudeau rents Ottawa home in Rockcliffe, returning to his childhood stomping grounds". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
32. Bogart, Nicole (March 12, 2020). "Trudeau self-isolating as wife Sophie awaits result of COVID-19 test". CTV News. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
33. "Sophie Grégoire Trudeau diagnosed with COVID-19; PM to remain in isolation". globalnews.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
34. "Sophie Grégoire Trudeau says she has recovered from COVID-19". cbc.ca. March 28, 2020.
35. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau sings song she wrote for her daughter". CBC News. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
36. "'Smile back at me': Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau breaks into song - Macleans.ca". Macleans. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
37. Mike Strobel (January 19, 2016). "Science behind Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau's ditty". Toronto Sun. And it worked. She got a standing ovation. Now everyone is oohing and ahhing over her performance. Maclean’s magazine critic Michael Barclay detected “a bit of Sarah McLachlan” in the performance.
38. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau hits news highs —and lows with impromptu song". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
39. Michael Barclay (January 18, 2016). "That Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau song: Six things you might be wondering about: Is Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau's song any good? And where did that come from? What you need to know about her performance". Macleans' magazine. Retrieved January 19, 2016. Naturally, the cynics descended, of both the partisan and nonpartisan variety, on a prominent woman daring to sing out loud, on a white woman singing a personal song about her family at an event celebrating a black civil rights icon, on the Prime Minister’s wife appearing unscripted and whimsical. But let’s try to be objective here, and figure out what just happened.
40. "Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau's song gets the club banger remix". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
41. "Internet smiles back with remix of Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau's song". CTVNews. Retrieved January 19, 2016.

Honorary titles
Preceded by Laureen Harper	Spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada 2015–present	Incumbent