Sabina Mary Higgins[2] (née Coyne; born 15 September 1941[1]) is an Irish actress, political activist and the wife of the current president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
Sabina Higgins | |
|---|---|
 Higgins in 2014 | |
| Born | Sabina Mary Coyne 15 September 1941[1] Ballindine, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Alma mater | University College Galway |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Alice-Mary |
Early life
editSabina Coyne grew up on a small farm in Cloonrane, Milltown near the Galway-Mayo border. She attended national school in Ballindine, County Mayo. Her mother would tell stories from Charles Dickens while milking the cows, an influence on her later decision to take up acting, in which she trained using Stanislavski's system. She was a bridesmaid at the wedding of singer Luke Kelly to Deirdre O'Connell.[1]
Career
editIn 1966, she played the part of Julia Grenan in Insurrection.
Friends have spoken of her affection for the President and noted that she "has always been out campaigning with him, and she has a public presence."[1] The Irish Times said she was "a subtle, careful and essential background presence during the presidential campaign". In 2010, before Higgins received the presidential nomination, the couple gave a radio interview together in which Higgins said she was "his rock". Presenter Miriam O'Callaghan said they had held hands all the way through.[1]
She publicly expressed opposition to the Iraq War.[1] In January 2014, she visited the jailed anti-war activist Margaretta D'Arcy in Limerick Prison.[3]
During the centenary of the Easter Rising, she gave a key speech in Glasnevin Cemetery at the graveside of Constance Markievicz. In it she warned Irish people against "empires of greed" and "a new form of capitalism [which is] even more powerful and less visible and less accountable" than that of 1916.[4]
On 27 July 2022, a letter by Higgins to the editorial office of The Irish Times was published, in which she called on Ukraine to "agree to a ceasefire and negotiations" with the Russian Federation during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5] In it, she expressed her indignation at the publication's editorial, which she said "did not encourage any negotiations before a ceasefire that could lead to a peaceful settlement between the Russians, Ukrainian forces and separatists."[6][7] After the letter received criticism, Higgins defended her comments, stating that she "strongly condemned the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine".[8]
Personal life
editShe met Michael D. Higgins in 1969 at a party in the family home of journalist Mary Kenny.[1][9] He proposed over Christmas 1973 and they married on 8 July 1974 at Haddington Road Church in Dublin. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2024.[10] They have four children: Alice-Mary, twins John and Michael Jr., and Daniel.[1] In November 2023 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and started treatment straight away.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Boland, Rosita (5 November 2011). "New lady of the Áras". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
Sabina Coyne met Michael Daniel Higgins in 1969 at a party in the home of journalist Mary Kenny, when he was 28 and she was 27.
- ^ "President | The President | Sabina Higgins". 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017.
- ^ "Sabina Higgins visits jailed anti-war activist". RTÉ. 20 January 2014.
- ^ "Sabina Higgins tells Irish people: beware of 'new form of capitalism' and the 'empires of greed'". Independent.ie. 26 March 2016.
- ^ "The Russian ambassador praised the wife of the president of Ireland, who urged Ukraine to negotiate with the Russian Federation". www.eurointegration.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Irish president's wife wins Kremlin kudos for Ukraine peace letter". politico.eu. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Ukrainian MP says Sabina Higgins letter was 'rather misguided'". BreakingNews.ie. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "War in Ukraine: Irish president's wife defends letter after criticism". BBC News. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Kenny, Mary (31 October 2011). "I have earned my footnote in history". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ Ndjonkou, Tessa (8 July 2024). "President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina celebrate 50 years of marriage". Irish Independent.
- ^ "Sabina Higgins undergoes breast cancer treatment". RTÉ. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.