Mark Drakeford’s wife dead – Clare Drakeford dies suddenly aged 66, cause of death unknown

Prince William and Kate pay tribute

The Prince and Princess of Wales tweeted: “Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. WC.”

It comes hours after it was revealed that Clare Drakeford had died suddenly.

Scottish Labor Party leader ‘heartbroken’

Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Democratic Socialist Party, tweeted: “Words cannot express how heartbroken I am for Mark Drakeford and his family at the death of his wife Clare.

“The entire Scottish Labor family sends our love and condolences.

“I hope the happy memories Mark and Clare had together are some comfort at this difficult time.”

Tributes pour in

Michelle O’Neill, Vice President of Sinn Fein, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they mourn their loss and come to terms with their grief.”

Senedd Chair, Ceredigion MS Elin Jones, said: “As Senedd, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Clare Drakeford.

“We hold Mark and his family in our hearts and send them our deepest condolences, love and support.”

Rishi Sunak expresses “deepest condolences”.

Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has privately offered his deepest condolences to Mr Drakeford.

The 66-year-old died suddenly today, but her cause of death is not yet known.

Keir Starmer pays tribute

Labor leader Keir Starmer has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Clare Drakeford.

He said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Clare Drakeford.

“On behalf of the entire Labor Party I send our deepest condolences to Mark and the entire family.

“You are all in our thoughts and prayers.”

Who was Clare Drakeford?

Clare had been married to the Welsh union leader since 1977.

The couple had three children together.

Last year, Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his “vulnerable” wife for much of the pandemic.

The couple had lived in separate houses to “ensure their safety”.

“My heart is absolutely breaking”

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price tweeted: “My heart is absolutely breaking for @PrifWeinidog after hearing of the sudden death of his wife Clare Drakeford.

“I know how close you were and there are no words to describe the pain you must be feeling. My thoughts are with you and your family. We’re all here for you, Mark.”

Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she is sending “love and strength” to Mark Drakeford after his wife Clare died suddenly.

“My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time,” Ms Sturgeon tweeted.

“On the occasions that I have met Clare it has been evident how strong the bond between her and Mark was and I can only imagine the depth of his grief.

“I send him love and strength.”

“Shocked and so incredibly sad”

Cardiff Central Labor MP Jo Stevens said: “So shocked and so saddened by the news of Clare Drakeford’s death.

“The thoughts and sympathy of all of us in and about the Welsh Parliamentary Labor Party are with Mark and his family.”

Jane Dodds pays tribute

Paying tribute to Clare today, Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “My thoughts are with the First Minister and his family at this very difficult time.

“On behalf of everyone in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I send our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends.”

Boris Johnson pays tribute

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson published a tribute to the Drakeford family.

“I would like to offer my condolences to Mark Drakeford following the terrible news about his wife Clare. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time,” he wrote on Twitter.

Cause of death unknown

The cause of death remains unknown after Clare Drakeford died suddenly.

Last year, Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his “vulnerable” wife for much of the pandemic.

The couple had lived in separate houses to “ensure their safety”.

He told ITV Wales: “I’ve been married for a very long time and not being in the house and physically distancing, even though we saw each other every day and talked every day it was a confusing experience in that way and for it to be over , it’s a bit emotional for everyone.

“Thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government with Mark”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden death of Clare Drakeford, the wife of the First Minister.

“The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy be respected.”

Tributes pour in

One person tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the sudden death of Clare Drakeford. My condolences go out to Mark and his family.”

A second added: “Such desperately sad news. It is devastating to learn of ClareDrakeford’s sudden death.

“My deepest condolences to all who are mourning your tragic loss.

“My thoughts are with Mark Drakefor and his family and everyone who loved Clare at this incredibly difficult time.”

“I can’t imagine the pain”

Rishi Sunak took to Twitter to express his condolences following the death of Clare Drakeford.

He said: “Incredibly sad to hear of the sudden death of Clare Drakeford.

“I know how committed Mark and Clare were to each other. I can’t imagine the pain Mark and his family will feel now.

“My sincere condolences go out to them.”

Pictured: Mark and Clare Drakeford

First Minister Mark Drakeford’s wife, Clare, has died suddenly.

The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and had three children together.

Clare Drakeford had Covid in 2020

Mark Drakeford spoke of “difficult days” after his wife and mother contracted the coronavirus in 2020.

The First Minister moved from his home to a building in his garden to protect his family during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “On a purely personal level, both my wife and mother contracted coronavirus at a time when I couldn’t live at home because they were both susceptible.”

Prince William and Kate pay tribute

The Prince and Princess of Wales tweeted: “Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. WC.”

It comes hours after it was revealed that Clare Drakeford had died suddenly.

Andrew Davies ‘deeply saddened’

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said he was “shocked and deeply saddened”.

Scottish Labor Party leader ‘heartbroken’

Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Democratic Socialist Party, tweeted: “Words cannot express how heartbroken I am for Mark Drakeford and his family at the death of his wife Clare.

“The entire Scottish Labor family sends our love and condolences.

“I hope the happy memories Mark and Clare had together are some comfort at this difficult time.”

Tributes pour in

Michelle O’Neill, Vice President of Sinn Fein, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they mourn their loss and come to terms with their grief.”

Senedd Chair, Ceredigion MS Elin Jones, said: “As Senedd, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Clare Drakeford.

“We hold Mark and his family in our hearts and send them our deepest condolences, love and support.”

Rishi Sunak expresses “deepest condolences”.

Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has privately offered his deepest condolences to Mr Drakeford.

The 66-year-old died suddenly today, but her cause of death is not yet known.

Keir Starmer pays tribute

Labor leader Keir Starmer has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Clare Drakeford.

He said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Clare Drakeford.

“On behalf of the entire Labor Party I send our deepest condolences to Mark and the entire family.

“You are all in our thoughts and prayers.”

Who was Clare Drakeford?

Clare had been married to the Welsh union leader since 1977.

The couple had three children together.

Last year, Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his “vulnerable” wife for much of the pandemic.

The couple had lived in separate houses to “ensure their safety”.

“My heart is absolutely breaking”

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price tweeted: “My heart is absolutely breaking for @PrifWeinidog after hearing of the sudden death of his wife Clare Drakeford.

“I know how close you were and there are no words to describe the pain you must be feeling. My thoughts are with you and your family. We’re all here for you, Mark.”