Age, Biography and Wiki

Mary O'Rourke (Mary Lenihan) was born on 31 May, 1937 in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician (b. 1937). Discover Mary O'Rourke's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 86 years old?

Popular As Mary Lenihan
Occupation N/A
Age 86 years old
Zodiac Sign Gemini
Born 31 May 1937
Birthday 31 May
Birthplace Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland
Nationality Ireland

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 31 May. She is a member of famous politician with the age 86 years old group.

Mary O'Rourke Height, Weight & Measurements

At 86 years old, Mary O'Rourke height not available right now. We will update Mary O'Rourke's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Mary O'Rourke's Husband?

Her husband is Enda O'Rourke (m. 1962-2001)

Family
Parents Patrick LenihanAnne Scanlon
Husband Enda O'Rourke (m. 1962-2001)
Sibling Not Available
Children 2, including Feargal

Mary O'Rourke Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Mary O'Rourke worth at the age of 86 years old? Mary O'Rourke’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. She is from Ireland. We have estimated Mary O'Rourke's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1916

In an address to the 1916–1921 Club in Dublin Castle last night, she said that most voters no longer defined themselves in terms of Civil War politics.

Having pointed to the shared values of the two parties on a number of issues, she said the last issue she wanted to mention was the "dreaded b" word.

Her senior years led her to often being referred to as the "Mammy of the Dáil".

1937

Mary O'Rourke (Lenihan; born 31 May 1937) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Leader of the Seanad and Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad from 2002 to 2007, Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2002, Minister for Public Enterprise from 1997 to 2002, Minister for Health from 1991 to 1992 and Minister for Education from 1987 to 1991.

She was born in Athlone, County Westmeath, in 1937.

She was educated at St. Peter's, Athlone; Loreto Bray Convent, County Wicklow; University College Dublin and St Patrick's College, Maynooth.

She worked as a secondary school teacher before she began her political career.

1974

O'Rourke began her political career in local politics, serving on Athlone Urban District Council between 1974 and 1987 and on Westmeath County Council between 1979 and 1987.

1981

She served as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 1981 to 1982 and from 2002 to 2007, after being Nominated by the Taoiseach.

She was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1981 as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel.

1982

She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1982 to 2002 and 2007 to 2011.

She stood unsuccessfully for the Dáil at the February 1982 general election, but was subsequently re-elected to the Seanad.

At the November 1982 general election, she was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Longford–Westmeath constituency, and from 1992 for the new Westmeath constituency.

1987

In 1987, she was appointed Minister for Education by Charles Haughey.

O'Rourke and her brother, Brian Lenihan, became the first brother and sister in Irish history to serve in the same cabinet.

1991

In the November 1991 cabinet reshuffle, O'Rourke became Minister for Health.

1992

She also served as a Minister of State from 1992 to 1994.

In February 1992, Charles Haughey resigned as Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader.

O'Rourke contested the subsequent leadership election along with Michael Woods and Albert Reynolds.

Reynolds defeated the other two contenders and O'Rourke was subsequently dropped from her ministerial position, but was appointed to a junior ministry as Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce with responsibility for Trade and Marketing.

1993

In January 1993, she was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment with responsibility for Labour Affairs, serving until the fall of the Reynolds government in December 1994.

1994

In 1994, Bertie Ahern became party leader and he appointed O'Rourke as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, serving in the position until 2002.

1997

Following Ahern's election as Taoiseach in June 1997, O'Rourke became Minister for Public Enterprise, holding this position until she lost her Dáil seat at the 2002 general election.

This followed a vote management strategy from Fianna Fáil head office which restricted her from campaigning in her traditional areas around Kilbeggan, in an attempt to win 2 of the 3 seats in Westmeath.

The loss of her Dáil seat has also been attributed to her association with and the championing of, the privatisation of Telecom Éireann, which proved a financial disaster for many small investors, due to the share price falling radically, post privatisation.

During this term as Minister, she also became the subject of public criticism by Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.

Following the loss of her Dáil seat, she was nominated to Seanad Éireann as a Senator by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern where she became Leader of the Seanad and leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad.

2006

In January 2006, O'Rourke received the party nomination to stand at the 2007 general election.

She narrowly defeated her nearest rival and Dáil election running mate, Kevin "Boxer" Moran of Athlone Town Council, causing a controversy when she thanked her election team for working "like blacks."

2007

In May 2007, she was re-elected to the Dáil at the 2007 general election, with her highest ever vote.

2008

In November 2008, during a march against the re-introduction of college fees, students from the Athlone Institute of Technology laid a funeral wreath at the door of O'Rourke's constituency office.

The card in the wreath stated "Sincere sympathies on the death of free fees. We will remember this."

O'Rourke described the act as "heinous".

The wreath was placed there because O'Rourke was not speaking at a rally against the fees.

2010

In July 2010, O'Rourke conceded that she did not expect the party to be in power after the next general election.

On RTÉ Radio's Today with Pat Kenny programme, O'Rourke said the government was taking tough decisions to steer the country through the financial crisis and this would make it easy for the opposition.

She said there was a general air of "crossness" within the Fianna Fáil party over their standing in the polls, but nobody was harboring leadership ambitions to challenge Brian Cowen.

O'Rourke in November 2010 said there was then more to unite her party and Fine Gael than to divide them.

She pointed to the common approach of the two parties to Northern Ireland, Europe and the current financial crisis.

2011

She contested the 2011 general election, but was defeated on the poll.