Margaret Trudeau is a Canadian icon in her own right, celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental-health issues advocate. From becoming a prime minister’s wife at a young age, to the loss of both her son and her former husband, to living with bi-polar disorder, Margaret tirelessly shares her personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. When prime minister-designate, her son, Justin Trudeau captured a majority Monday night, Margaret was by his side. CBC’s As It Happens was able to speak with Margaret about his win:
When we realized the moment when it came on the screen, I think I had the best hug of my whole life from my son,” Margaret Trudeau tells As It Happens host Carol Off.
For both of the Trudeaus, last night’s victory will mean a return to 24 Sussex Drive, with Justin as the prime minister and a father of three and Margaret as a visitor, mother and grandmother.
Trudeau says she knows the turmoil of political life, but she is optimistic about the family returning to the residence she once called “the crown jewel of the federal penitentiary system.”
“It’s not my turn. It’s their turn and that’s the wonder and the joy of life is I had my turn. It was a rocky, wonderful road I was on,” Trudeau explains.
“Justin’s always been golden and I couldn’t have been prouder of him last night, the whole family. It’s a blessing to me and Justin, my goodness,” Trudeau says. “It’s a tremendous victory for Canadian people.”