Michael D. Higgins

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His Excellency Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins in April 2022
9th President of Ireland
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 November 2011
Taoiseach	Enda Kenny Leo Varadkar Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Mary McAleese
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
In office 15 December 1994 – 26 June 1997
Preceded by	Bertie Ahern
Succeeded by	Síle de Valera
In office 12 January 1993 – 17 November 1994
Preceded by	John Wilson
Succeeded by	Bertie Ahern
Teachta Dála
In office 17 February 1987 – 25 February 2011
Preceded by	Fintan Coogan
Succeeded by	Derek Nolan
In office 11 June 1981 – 24 November 1982
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Fintan Coogan
Constituency	Galway West
Senator
In office 23 February 1983 – 3 April 1987
Constituency	National University of Ireland
In office 1 June 1973 – 26 May 1977
Constituency	Taoiseach's nominee
Personal details
Born	Michael Daniel Higgins (1941-04-18) 18 April 1941 (age 83) Limerick, Ireland
Political party	Independent, Labour Party (1968–2011)
Spouse(s)	Sabina Coyne ​ (m. 1974)​ [1]
Children	4
Alma mater	University College, Galway Indiana University, Bloomington University of Manchester

Michael Daniel Higgins (born 18 April 1941) is the ninth and current President of Ireland. He took office on 11 November 2011.^[2] Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster.^[3]

Higgins was a Teachta Dála (TD) and represented the Galway West constituency. He also was the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht from 1993 to 1997. Higgins was the President of the Labour Party from 2003 until his election to the presidency in 2011.

Higgins is known because he was the first president to make a state visit to the United Kingdom.^[4]

1. ↑ "Michael D. Higgins elected President of Ireland". RTÉ News. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
2. ↑ "Michael D. Higgins wins Irish presidential election". The Daily Telegraph. London. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
3. ↑ O'Leary, Jennifer (28 October 2011). "Who is Michael D Higgins?". BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
4. ↑ "In pictures: Irish President Michael D Higgins visits UK". BBC. 8 April 2014.