Who is Arlene Foster? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In July

Also Known As: Arlene Isabel Foster

Age: 54 Years, 54 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Brian Foster

father: John Kelly

mother: Georgina Kelly J

siblings: David Kelly, Julie Foster, Linda Kelly

children: Ben Foster

Born Country: Northern Ireland

Political Leaders British Women

More Facts

education: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School (1982–1989), Queen's University Belfast

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1

What is Arlene Foster known for?

Arlene Foster is known for being a prominent politician in Northern Ireland, serving as the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and as the First Minister of Northern Ireland.
2

What are Arlene Foster's political views?

Arlene Foster is known for her conservative and unionist political views, advocating for maintaining Northern Ireland's position within the United Kingdom.
3

What challenges has Arlene Foster faced during her political career?

Arlene Foster has faced challenges such as navigating the complexities of power-sharing in Northern Ireland, negotiating Brexit implications for the region, and managing internal party dynamics within the DUP.
4

How has Arlene Foster's leadership style been perceived?

Arlene Foster's leadership style has been described as assertive, pragmatic, and focused on representing the interests of her constituents and party members.
5

What impact has Arlene Foster had on Northern Ireland's political landscape?

Arlene Foster has played a significant role in shaping Northern Ireland's political landscape by leading the DUP through various political challenges and negotiations, influencing policies related to Brexit, and advocating for unionist principles.

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Childhood & Early Life

Arlene Foster was born Arlene Isabel Kelly, on July 17, 1970 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Her father was a 'Royal Ulster Constabulary' reservist.

She attended the 'Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School' (1982–1989) and is a law graduate from 'Queen's University,' Belfast. She became a member of the university's 'Unionist Association,' which operated as part of the 'Ulster Unionist Party' (UUP). She later chaired the association from 1992 to 1993.

During the late 20th century ethnic-nationalist conflict called 'The Troubles,' Foster's father was shot in an assassination attempt. The 'Irish Republican Army' bombed her school bus because the driver served in the 'Ulster Defence Regiment.'

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Career

Foster chaired the youth wing of the ‘UUP,’ the 'Ulster Young Unionist Council,' in 1995. The following year, she was named an honorary secretary of the 'Ulster Unionist Council.'

Arlene Foster was an elected 'Ulster Unionist' in the 2003 assembly elections. She also became a member of the ''baby barristers,'' the ‘UUP's right-wing faction, and opposed party leader David Trimble and his decision to support the 'Belfast Agreement.'

In 2004, Foster left the ‘UUP.’ His decision was reportedly a result of her strong commitment toward the Northern Ireland-based international Protestant fraternal order called the 'Loyal Orange Institution' (or the 'Orange Order').

After negotiations between the ‘UUP’ and the 'Democratic Unionist Party' (DUP), she represented the latter in her 2005 U.K. general election run for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. She held the second place in the 2005 general election.

Foster represented her hometown during her tenure as a councilor on the ‘Fermanagh District Council’ from 2005 to 2010.

On January 11, 2010, Arlene Foster officially replaced the first minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, who had temporarily stepped down for 6 weeks. However, he returned on February 3, 2010, before his planned sabbatical ended.

Foster then assumed the duties of the Northern Irish environment minister. In September 2007, she privately backed a new project for the development of the ‘Giant's Causeway,’ a “World Heritage Site” located in County Antrim, on the north coast of Northern Ireland. The project also included establishing a new visitors' center at the site.

The project was later affected by controversies. The privately allocated finances for the project were seized. The ‘DUP’ also got involved because the private developer of the project, Seymour Sweeney, was a member of the party. Since Foster, too, was a ‘DUP’ member, she denied her involvement. On January 29, 2008, she announced that she had declined Sweeney's proposal for a £21 million visitors' center, even though she had initially thought of approving it.

In 2008, she was named the assembly member of the year at the 'Women in Public Life Awards.'

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In 2011, during her tenure as the minister for enterprise, trade, and investment, Foster urged the 'Organised Crime Task Force' to get the 'Petrol licensing Consolidation (NI) Act 1929’ regulate fuel licensing, which she believed would reduce cases of fraud.

Foster served as the first minister of Northern Ireland from January 2016 to January 2017. In that capacity, she categorically supported ‘Brexit’ and welcomed talks for progress. She is credited for introducing a super-fast broadband connection in an attempt to make international communications smoother and to acquire more international deals. The sales and purchase taxes were reduced, which encouraged business at the 'Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Investment' (DETI), which is now called the 'Department for the Economy.'

During her tenure, Foster also supported private enterprises. However, public-sector employment had declined in her tenure.

In May 2018, she led an 'Orange Order' march in Fife, Scotland.

Arlene Foster was re-elected as the first minister on January 11, 2020.

Controversies

In June 2012, Arlene Foster criticized a documentary shown by the 'Co-operative Group.' She argued that the documentary presented a partial approach toward the debate over hydraulic fracturing and that the group supported it, contrary to its claims of being ethically strict.

In March 2014, Foster was criticized for her remark (involving "deeply insulting language") on fellow MLA, Anna Lo's comment. She was called for an apology. The base of the criticism was Foster's double standards, as she chose to oppose Lo's comment but remained silent on 'Progressive Unionist Party' leader Billy Hutchinson's comment, which was arguably more derogatory.

In January 2016, when Foster was about to be named the first minister, she created controversy for not attending the official celebrations of the 1916 rebellion against the British rule, in Dublin. She believed that the uprising was “an attack on democracy.”

In her tenure as the first minister, Arlene Foster supported conservative social issues and the government in Westminster, which made her a menace to her left-wing critics.

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In December 2016, Foster was heavily criticized for the failure of the 'Renewable Heat Incentive' (RHI) scheme (green energy scheme), set up by the ‘DETI.’ The failure was termed as the ''Cash for Ash'' scandal. Several senior civil servants involved in the project and ‘DETI’ minister Jonathan Bell suggested its closure. They argued that the project could exceed the planned budget. The scheme was accused of being corrupt.

Foster, however, reportedly campaigned for the scheme. Hence, she was called to resign from her post. She refused to step down or resign. Instead, she counter-attacked those who demanded her resignation, labeling them as "misogynists and male chauvinists."

The then-deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, resigned on January 9, 2017, in the wake of the ‘RHI’ scandal. According to the guidelines of the 'Good Friday Agreement' (a power-sharing agreement regulated in Northern Ireland), she could not continue as the first minister if the deputy first minister resigned.

Family & Personal Life

Arlene Foster is married to Brian Foster and has three children: Sarah, George, and Ben.

Facts About Arlene Foster

Arlene Foster is known for her love of Irish dancing, and she has been seen showcasing her skills at various events.

She is an avid reader and has a passion for history, particularly British and Irish history.

Arlene Foster is a talented pianist and enjoys playing classical music in her free time.

She is a dedicated animal lover and has rescued several pets over the years, including dogs and horses.

Arlene Foster is a skilled baker and often shares photos of her delicious creations on social media.

Arlene Foster Biography

You wanted to know

What is Arlene Foster known for?

What are Arlene Foster's political views?

What challenges has Arlene Foster faced during her political career?

How has Arlene Foster's leadership style been perceived?

What impact has Arlene Foster had on Northern Ireland's political landscape?