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'''Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 22 June 1983) is a {{wp|British}} broadcaster, journalist, author, and politician currently serving as {{wp|Leader of the Liberal Democrats}} since 2020 as well as {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom}} and {{wp|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport}} since 2024. The youngest of two illegitimate children of [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]] and the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith initially spent much of her early years in the {{wp|United States}} under her {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s care before later moving abroad to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} in 2001. In 2010, she graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the {{wp|University of Oxford}} before being later appointed its {{wp|Chancellor of the University of Oxford|chancellor}}, succeeding {{wp|Chris Patten}} after a two-decades-long tenure. A member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|party}}'s centre-left {{wp|Social Liberal Forum}} pressure group, Smith has been a vocal proponent for the nationalisation of railways, regulation of certain economic industries, the introduction of {{wp|proportional representation}}, withdrawal of {{wp|British}} military forces from the {{wp|Middle East}}, and clean energy, particularly {{wp|nuclear energy}}.
'''Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 22 June 1983) is a {{wp|British}} journalist, author, and politician currently serving as {{wp|Leader of the Liberal Democrats}} since 2020 as well as {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom}} and {{wp|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport}} since 2024. The youngest of two illegitimate children of [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]] and the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith initially spent much of her early years in the {{wp|United States}} under her {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s care before later moving abroad to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} in 2001. In 2010, she graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the {{wp|University of Oxford}} before being later appointed its {{wp|Chancellor of the University of Oxford|chancellor}}, succeeding {{wp|Chris Patten}} after a two-decades-long tenure. A member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|party}}'s centre-left {{wp|Social Liberal Forum}}, Smith has been a vocal proponent for the nationalisation of railways, regulation of certain economic industries, the introduction of {{wp|proportional representation}}, withdrawal of {{wp|British}} military forces from the {{wp|Middle East}}, and clean energy, particularly {{wp|nuclear energy}}.


In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for ''{{wp|BBC News at One}}'', during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for ''{{wp|BBC World News America}}'', covering major {{wp|American}} events including the inauguration of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}, death of {{wp|American}} pop star {{wp|Michael Jackson}}, and the {{wp|Deepwater Horizon explosion|''Deepwater Horizon'' explosion}}. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on {{wp|Panorama (British TV programme)|''Panorama''}}, ''{{wp|Daily Politics}}'', and ''{{wp|Newsnight}}'', earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on ''{{wp|The Jackie Smith Show}}'', Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including {{wp|David Cameron}}, {{wp|Angela Merkel}}, {{wp|One Direction}}, and {{wp|Naomi Campbell}}. In September 2012, she was appointed {{wp|CEO}} of {{wp|BBC News}} before a promotion to {{wp|Senior Independent Director}} followed in March 2014 and subsequently to {{wp|Director-General of the BBC}} in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in May 2020. Since departing the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith has served as a part-time consultant and commentator for various {{wp|British}} media outlets, namely ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'', ''{{wp|The Times}}'', and ''{{wp|The Observer}}'', often providing her own liberal and centrist insight. In recent years, Smith has come to personally host a number of travel documentaries produced by herself, including ''Jacqueline Smith: From Coast to Coast'', ''The Northern Journey with Jacqueline Smith'', and ''Rediscovered: Asia and Europe's Past Kings and Queens'', all of which have been met with generally positive reviews by critics. In addition, she is also the author of a number of bestselling books, namely ''A Decade's Worth'', ''MAGA: America's Pandora Box'', ''The Russian Paradox'', and ''Cultures Reconciled''.
In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for ''{{wp|BBC News at One}}'', during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for ''{{wp|BBC World News America}}'', covering major {{wp|American}} events including the inauguration of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}, death of {{wp|American}} pop star {{wp|Michael Jackson}}, and the {{wp|Deepwater Horizon explosion|''Deepwater Horizon'' explosion}}. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on {{wp|Panorama (British TV programme)|''Panorama''}}, ''{{wp|Daily Politics}}'', and ''{{wp|Newsnight}}'', earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on ''{{wp|The Jackie Smith Show}}'', Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including {{wp|David Cameron}}, {{wp|Angela Merkel}}, {{wp|One Direction}}, and {{wp|Naomi Campbell}}. In September 2012, she was appointed {{wp|CEO}} of {{wp|BBC News}} before a promotion to {{wp|Senior Independent Director}} followed in March 2014 and subsequently to {{wp|Director-General of the BBC}} in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in May 2020. Since departing the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith has served as a part-time consultant and commentator for various {{wp|British}} media outlets, namely ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'', ''{{wp|The Times}}'', and ''{{wp|The Observer}}'', often providing her own liberal and centrist insight. In addition, she is also the author of a number of bestselling books, namely ''A Decade's Worth'', ''MAGA: America's Pandora Box'', ''The Russian Paradox'', and ''Cultures Reconciled''.


Following a distinguished career in the media industry, Smith, a member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} since 2014, made her switch to politics by contesting as a {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat}} in the {{wp|2020 United Kingdom general election}} for the {{wp|St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)|St Albans}} constituency. Upon winning the seat with an impressive 21.1% majority, a poor overall showing from the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} in the general election, in which their share of seats was almost halved, Smith stood as a candidate for the party leadership following the resignation of incumbent {{wp|Tim Farron}}. In the ensuing {{wp|2020 Liberal Democrats leadership election|leadership election}}, she defeated the deputy leader and former {{wp|Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change}} {{wp|Ed Davey}} by a resounding 60.9% to 39.1%, becoming the first woman to lead the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}. In February 2024, she jointly led a successful effort to oust the ruling {{wp|Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party}} from power and help establish a grand coalition between the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s three largest opposition parties, namely the {{wp|Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party}}, {{wp|Lib Dems|Liberal Democrats}}, and the [[Hanoverian Union Party]]. In the process, she oversaw the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}' biggest electoral victory since their formation in 1988, winning a record of 128 seats
Following a distinguished career in the media industry, Smith, a member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} since 2014, made her switch to politics by contesting as a {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat}} in the {{wp|2020 United Kingdom general election}} for the {{wp|St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)|St Albans}} constituency. Upon winning the seat with an impressive 21.1% majority, a poor overall showing from the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} in the general election, in which their share of seats was almost halved, Smith stood as a candidate for the party leadership following the resignation of incumbent {{wp|Tim Farron}}. In the ensuing {{wp|2020 Liberal Democrats leadership election|leadership election}}, she defeated the deputy leader and former {{wp|Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change}} {{wp|Ed Davey}} by a resounding 60.9% to 39.1%, becoming the first woman to lead the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}. In February 2024, she jointly led a successful effort to oust the ruling {{wp|Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party}} from power and help establish a grand coalition between the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s three largest opposition parties, namely the {{wp|Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party}}, {{wp|Lib Dems|Liberal Democrats}}, and the [[Hanoverian Union Party]]. In the process, she oversaw the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}' biggest electoral victory since their formation in 1988, winning a record of 128 seats


In 2015, Smith married the {{wp|British}} actor {{wp|Henry Cavill}}, with whom she has two children. Through her [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football player and manager [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]]. Named directly after the actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith is popularly known as "Little Jackie" by her family and friends in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother. Initially born in the {{wp|United States}}, Smith later acquired {{wp|British}} citizenship and was then made a {{wp|dame}} on her 40th birthday in honour of her contribution to {{wp|British}} culture and media.
In 2015, Smith married the {{wp|British}} actor {{wp|Henry Cavill}}, with whom she has two children. Through her [[Thomas, King of the British|father]], Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football player and manager [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen Alexandra]]. Named directly after the actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith is popularly known as "Little Jackie" by her family and friends in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother. Initially born in the {{wp|United States}}, Smith later acquired {{wp|British}} citizenship and was then made a {{wp|dame}} on her 40th birthday in honour of her contribution to {{wp|British}} culture and media.


==Early Life==
==Early Life==
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Although considered to be fairly wealthy in her own right, Smith is known more for her personal preference for a more "low-key" life in contrast to that of her [[William Smith |older brother]], with the former said to own a modest {{wp|Mini Hatch}} as well as a {{wp|Land Rover Freelander}}. Meanwhile, Smith is also rumoured to have owned a fairly modest estate within the vicinity of {{wp|London}} although this has never been confirmed owing to her strict brand of confidentiality and secrecy with the press. However, out of principle, upon being elected as {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} leader, Smith did publicly reveal the true extent of her personal wealth which was reported to be around $12.7 million (£9.9 million).
Although considered to be fairly wealthy in her own right, Smith is known more for her personal preference for a more "low-key" life in contrast to that of her [[William Smith |older brother]], with the former said to own a modest {{wp|Mini Hatch}} as well as a {{wp|Land Rover Freelander}}. Meanwhile, Smith is also rumoured to have owned a fairly modest estate within the vicinity of {{wp|London}} although this has never been confirmed owing to her strict brand of confidentiality and secrecy with the press. However, out of principle, upon being elected as {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} leader, Smith did publicly reveal the true extent of her personal wealth which was reported to be around $12.7 million (£9.9 million).


In September 2015, Smith married the {{wp|British}} actor {{wp|Henry Cavill}}, with whom she had two children [[Thomas Cavill|Thomas]] and [[Elizabeth Cavill|Elizabeth]]. The couple was wedded at {{wp|Westminster Abbey}} in an intimate ceremony following a two-year-long relationship that began after Smith met {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} at the premiere of {{wp|Man of Steel (film)|''Man of Steel''}} in which {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} played the titular character of {{wp|Superman}}. Born only a month apart, the two later began a discreet relationship that was eventually publicised for the first time when the couple appeared together at the premiere of the 2015 spy film {{wp|The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (film)|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.''}} Later, on 10 September 2015, the couple was wedded at {{wp|Westminster Abbey}} in the presence of their respective families along with several of their close friends in attendance including fellow actors and actresses {{wp|Daniel Craig}}, {{wp|Christian Bale}}, {{wp|Idris Elba}}, {{wp|Amy Adams}}, {{wp|Hayley Atwell}}, and {{wp|Alicia Vikander}}. As a result of their marriage, {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} became the brother-in-law of the famous former professional footballer [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}. In addition, Smith being a half-sister of the reigning [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]] meant that {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} is also the brother-in-law of the [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen]] himself.
In September 2015, Smith married the {{wp|British}} actor {{wp|Henry Cavill}}, with whom she had two children [[Thomas Cavill|Thomas]] and [[Elizabeth Cavill|Elizabeth]]. The couple was wedded at {{wp|Westminster Abbey}} in an intimate ceremony following a two-year-long relationship that began after Smith met {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} at the premiere of {{wp|Man of Steel (film)|''Man of Steel''}} in which {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} played the titular character of {{wp|Superman}}. Born only a month apart, the two later began a discreet relationship that was eventually publicised for the first time when the couple appeared together at the premiere of the 2015 spy film {{wp|The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (film)|''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.''}} Later, on 10 September 2015, the couple was wedded at {{wp|Westminster Abbey}} in the presence of their respective families along with several of their close friends in attendance including fellow actors and actresses {{wp|Daniel Craig}}, {{wp|Christian Bale}}, {{wp|Idris Elba}}, {{wp|Amy Adams}}, {{wp|Hayley Atwell}}, and {{wp|Alicia Vikander}}. As a result of their marriage, {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} became the brother-in-law of the famous former professional footballer [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Anne Hathaway}}. In addition, Smith being a half-sister of the reigning [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen Alexandra]] meant that {{wp|Henry Cavill|Cavill}} is also the brother-in-law of the [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen]] himself.

Latest revision as of 00:58, 2 April 2024

The Right Honourable Dame
Jacqueline Smith
GBE GCWO GCH MP
JAL.jpeg
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Assumed office
27 August 2020
PresidentMark Pack
DeputyDaisy Cooper
Preceded byTim Farron
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Assumed office
24 March 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byDavid Gauke
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Assumed office
24 March 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byThangam Debbonaire
Chancellor of the University of Oxford
Assumed office
20 September 2023
Vice-ChancellorIrene Tracey
Preceded byThe Lord Patten of Barnes
17th Director-General of the BBC
In office
10 April 2018 – 8 May 2020
Preceded byThe Lord Hall of Birkenhead
Succeeded byTim Davie
Senior Independent Director of the BBC
In office
26 March 2014 – 10 April 2018
Preceded byDillon Harvey
Succeeded byNicholas Serota
CEO of BBC News
In office
5 September 2012 – 26 March 2014
Preceded byDeclan Phillips
Succeeded byDeborah Turness
Member of the UK Parliament
for St Albans
Assumed office
7 May 2020
Preceded byAnne Main
Majority12,166 (21.1%)
Personal details
Born
Jacqueline Thomas Smith

(1983-06-22) 22 June 1983 (age 41)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Citizenship
Political partyLiberal Democrats
Spouse
Henry Cavilll (m. 2015)
Children
Parent(s)King Thomas (father)
Jaclyn Smith (mother)
Alma materUniversity of Southern California (B.M.C)
University of Oxford (M.M.C)
Profession
  • Broadcaster
  • Journalist
  • Author

Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith GBE GCWO GCH (born 22 June 1983) is a British journalist, author, and politician currently serving as Leader of the Liberal Democrats since 2020 as well as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since 2024. The youngest of two illegitimate children of King Thomas and the American actress Jaclyn Smith, Smith initially spent much of her early years in the United States under her mother's care before later moving abroad to the United Kingdom in 2001. In 2010, she graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the University of Oxford before being later appointed its chancellor, succeeding Chris Patten after a two-decades-long tenure. A member of the party's centre-left Social Liberal Forum, Smith has been a vocal proponent for the nationalisation of railways, regulation of certain economic industries, the introduction of proportional representation, withdrawal of British military forces from the Middle East, and clean energy, particularly nuclear energy.

In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for BBC News at One, during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the United Kingdom. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for BBC World News America, covering major American events including the inauguration of President Obama, death of American pop star Michael Jackson, and the Deepwater Horizon explosion. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on Panorama, Daily Politics, and Newsnight, earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on The Jackie Smith Show, Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including David Cameron, Angela Merkel, One Direction, and Naomi Campbell. In September 2012, she was appointed CEO of BBC News before a promotion to Senior Independent Director followed in March 2014 and subsequently to Director-General of the BBC in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in May 2020. Since departing the BBC, Smith has served as a part-time consultant and commentator for various British media outlets, namely The Guardian, The Times, and The Observer, often providing her own liberal and centrist insight. In addition, she is also the author of a number of bestselling books, namely A Decade's Worth, MAGA: America's Pandora Box, The Russian Paradox, and Cultures Reconciled.

Following a distinguished career in the media industry, Smith, a member of the Liberal Democrats since 2014, made her switch to politics by contesting as a Liberal Democrat in the 2020 United Kingdom general election for the St Albans constituency. Upon winning the seat with an impressive 21.1% majority, a poor overall showing from the Liberal Democrats in the general election, in which their share of seats was almost halved, Smith stood as a candidate for the party leadership following the resignation of incumbent Tim Farron. In the ensuing leadership election, she defeated the deputy leader and former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey by a resounding 60.9% to 39.1%, becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Democrats. In February 2024, she jointly led a successful effort to oust the ruling Conservative Party from power and help establish a grand coalition between the United Kingdom's three largest opposition parties, namely the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and the Hanoverian Union Party. In the process, she oversaw the Liberal Democrats' biggest electoral victory since their formation in 1988, winning a record of 128 seats

In 2015, Smith married the British actor Henry Cavill, with whom she has two children. Through her father, Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football player and manager William Smith and the United Kingdom's Queen Alexandra. Named directly after the actress Jaclyn Smith, Smith is popularly known as "Little Jackie" by her family and friends in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother. Initially born in the United States, Smith later acquired British citizenship and was then made a dame on her 40th birthday in honour of her contribution to British culture and media.

Early Life

Adulthood

Personal Life

Much like her older brother, despite being born as the daughter of a monarch, she was never included in the line of succession owing to the fact that she had been born out of wedlock thereby immediately disqualifying her from ever succeeding to the throne. Having been born on June 22nd, Smith notably shares the same birthday with singer Cyndi Lauper, actress Meryl Streep, and fellow female politicians Elizabeth Warren and the late Dianne Feinstein. Meanwhile, she also shares the same birth year with her husband Henry Cavill as well as other actors including Chris Hemsworth, Adam Driver, Mila Kunis, and Rebecca Ferguson.

A dual American-British citizen, Smith currently resides mostly in the United Kingdom with her husband and children but has also spent some time away herself back in her native California. In this, much like her brother, Smith herself gradually adopted a more "British-sounding" accent which helped her swiftly blend in with her coworkers at the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation.

Although considered to be fairly wealthy in her own right, Smith is known more for her personal preference for a more "low-key" life in contrast to that of her older brother, with the former said to own a modest Mini Hatch as well as a Land Rover Freelander. Meanwhile, Smith is also rumoured to have owned a fairly modest estate within the vicinity of London although this has never been confirmed owing to her strict brand of confidentiality and secrecy with the press. However, out of principle, upon being elected as Liberal Democrats leader, Smith did publicly reveal the true extent of her personal wealth which was reported to be around $12.7 million (£9.9 million).

In September 2015, Smith married the British actor Henry Cavill, with whom she had two children Thomas and Elizabeth. The couple was wedded at Westminster Abbey in an intimate ceremony following a two-year-long relationship that began after Smith met Cavill at the premiere of Man of Steel in which Cavill played the titular character of Superman. Born only a month apart, the two later began a discreet relationship that was eventually publicised for the first time when the couple appeared together at the premiere of the 2015 spy film The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Later, on 10 September 2015, the couple was wedded at Westminster Abbey in the presence of their respective families along with several of their close friends in attendance including fellow actors and actresses Daniel Craig, Christian Bale, Idris Elba, Amy Adams, Hayley Atwell, and Alicia Vikander. As a result of their marriage, Cavill became the brother-in-law of the famous former professional footballer William Smith and the American actress Anne Hathaway. In addition, Smith being a half-sister of the reigning Queen Alexandra meant that Cavill is also the brother-in-law of the Queen himself.

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