Penny Mordaunt Biography
Dame Penelope Mary Mordaunt, born 4 March 1973, is a British former Conservative politician who served as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons from 2022 to 2024, and as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North from 2010 until 2024, when she lost her seat to Labour’s Amanda Martin in the 2024 general election.
She first entered Parliament in 2010, having previously worked in public relations and for the George W. Bush campaigns in 2000 and 2004, and held several key ministerial roles, including Minister of State for the Armed Forces (2015–2016), Secretary of State for International Development (2017–2019), Minister for Women and Equalities (2018–2019), and Secretary of State for Defence in 2019, becoming the first woman to hold the Defence role.
A strong supporter of Brexit during the 2016 EU referendum, Mordaunt ran twice for Conservative Party leader in July–September 2022 and October 2022, but lost to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, respectively.
She remained in the cabinet under both, playing a central ceremonial role during King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, where she famously bore the Jewelled Sword of Offering, a moment that went viral and cemented her public image.
Before politics, she studied Philosophy at the University of Reading, graduating in 1995, and served in the Royal Naval Reserve (2010–2019), later being honored with the rank of Honorary Captain in 2021.
In April 2025, Mordaunt began her post-parliamentary career with roles at British American Tobacco and Sub Sea Craft Limited.
In June 2025, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her public service.
Penny Mordaunt Wikipedia
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Penelope Mary Mordaunt |
| Date of Birth | 4 March 1973 (Age: 52 years old) |
| Place of Birth | Torquay, Devon, England |
| Education | Philosophy degree, University of Reading (Graduated 1995) |
| Early Career | PR roles, Conservative Party comms, George W. Bush campaigns, Freight Transport Association, Media Intelligence Partners |
| Entry into Politics | Ran for Portsmouth North in 2005; elected MP in 2010 |
| Parliamentary Career | MP for Portsmouth North (2010–2024) |
| Ministerial Roles | – Parliamentary Under-Secretary (2014–15) – Armed Forces Minister (2015–16) – Disabled People Minister (2016–17) – International Development Secretary (2017–19) – Women & Equalities Minister (2018–19) – Defence Secretary (2019) – Paymaster General (2020–21) – Trade Minister (2021–22) |
| Senior Government Role | Leader of the House of Commons & Lord President of the Council (2022–2024) |
| Leadership Contests | Ran for Conservative Party leadership twice in 2022 (lost to Truss and Sunak) |
| Military Service | Royal Naval Reserve (2010–2019), Honorary Captain (2021) |
| Television Appearance | ITV’s Splash! (2014); donated a fee to charity |
| Publications | Greater: Britain After the Storm (2021), co-authored with Chris Lewis |
| Post-Parliament Career | Board roles at British American Tobacco & Sub Sea Craft (2025–Present) |
| Personal Life | Divorced (Paul Murray), former partner Ian Lyon, no children, owns 4 Burmese cats, patron of Music Man Project |
| Relatives | Related to Dame Angela Lansbury and Philip Snowden (the first Labour Chancellor) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £3.3 million – £4.8 million |
| Honours | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (June 2025); King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023) |
| Key Achievements | First female Defence Secretary; First woman to present the Sword at Coronation (2023); prominent Brexiteer |
| Social Media Handles | Twitter/X: @PennyMordaunt Instagram: @pennymordauntofficial |
| Controversies | Transgender rights stance shift; Splash! criticism; Brexit Turkey veto comment; meeting with Muslim Council of Britain |
Penny Mordaunt’s Early Life and Education
Penelope Mary Mordaunt was born on 4 March 1973 in Torquay, Devon, to John Mordaunt, a former Parachute Regiment officer turned teacher and youth worker, and Jennifer Mordaunt (née Snowden), a special needs teacher.
She was named after the Royal Navy ship HMS Penelope, reflecting her family’s military ties. Mordaunt grew up in Waterlooville, Hampshire, and attended Oaklands Roman Catholic School, then studied drama at the Victoryland Theatre School.
After her mother died of breast cancer when Penny was just 15, she became the primary caregiver for her younger brother Edward, while her father also battled cancer.
To support herself, she worked in a Johnson & Johnson factory and as a magician’s assistant for Will Ayling, president of the Portsmouth Magic Circle.
Her interest in politics was sparked by volunteer work in Romania following the 1989 revolution. Mordaunt went on to study Philosophy at the University of Reading, graduating with upper second-class honours in 1995.
During her time at university, she became active in student politics and served as president of the Reading University Students’ Union, becoming the first in her family to attend university despite her parents having pursued further education.
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Penny Mordaunt’s Early Career and Media Work
After graduating in 1995, Penny Mordaunt began her professional journey in public relations, working across sectors including transport and local government.
She became Head of Youth for the Conservative Party under Prime Minister John Major, and later served as Head of Broadcasting under party leader William Hague from 1999 to 2001.
Between 1997 and 1999, she worked as a communications specialist for the Freight Transport Association (now Logistics UK), and in 2000, she briefly served as Head of Foreign Press for George W. Bush’s presidential campaign, a role she reprised in 2004.
From 2001 to 2003, she worked as Communications Director for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, though her tenure ended early, with Lord Moylan later describing her as “incompetent.”
In 2003, she co-founded virtualconservatives, an Anglo-American political website.
Mordaunt was a director of Media Intelligence Partners from 2004 to 2006, and also worked with the Community Fund, where she helped create the Veterans Reunited programme, supporting World War II commemorative efforts.
From 2003 to 2005, she contributed to the Big Lottery Fund, and from 2006 to 2009, she was a director at the charity Diabetes UK.
Her blend of political communication, charity leadership, and international campaign experience laid the foundation for her entry into Parliament in 2010.
Penny Mordaunt’s Parliamentary Career (2010–2024)
Penny Mordaunt entered Parliament in the 2010 general election as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, winning the seat with an 8.6% swing from Labour and a majority of 7,289.
She was re-elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019, increasing her majority to 15,780 votes (61.4%) in the 2019 election, before losing the seat to Labour’s Amanda Martin in the 2024 general election.
During her tenure, she served on various parliamentary committees, including the Defence Committee, European Scrutiny Committee, and the Public Bill Committee for the Defence Reform Act 2014.
In 2014, she delivered the Loyal Address in response to the Queen’s Speech, which gained attention due to humorous double entendres referencing her Royal Navy Reserve training.
She was accused of trivialising Parliament by Labour MP Kate Hoey after a speech on poultry welfare in which she used the word “cock” multiple times as part of a forfeit.
After her re-election in 2015, she continued to rise in prominence and became a notable figure within the Conservative Party.
Mordaunt’s popularity surged again after the 2019 general election, but despite being re-selected as the Conservative candidate in February 2024, she ultimately lost her seat in the Labour landslide of 2024, alongside other high-profile Conservatives such as Liz Truss, Grant Shapps, and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Penny Mordaunt’s Ministerial Positions
During her political career, Penny Mordaunt held several key ministerial roles in successive Conservative governments.
She was first appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation in 2014 under Prime Minister David Cameron, followed by her historic appointment in 2015 as the first woman Minister of State for the Armed Forces.
Under Theresa May, she became Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health in 2016, and in November 2017, she entered the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development, following the resignation of Priti Patel.
In April 2018, she also took on the role of Minister for Women and Equalities, making her one of the few ministers holding two Cabinet roles simultaneously.
On 1 May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as Secretary of State for Defence, becoming the first woman to lead the Ministry of Defence, but was removed from the post just 85 days later by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who replaced her after backing Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative leadership race.
She returned to government in February 2020 as Paymaster General, and in the 2021 reshuffle, she was promoted to Minister of State for Trade Policy.
Following Liz Truss’s rise to premiership in September 2022, Mordaunt was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council, roles she retained under Rishi Sunak until her exit from Parliament in 2024.
Penny Mordaunt Leader of the House of Commons (2022–2024)
Penny Mordaunt was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council on 6 September 2022 under Prime Minister Liz Truss, and retained both roles under Rishi Sunak until 5 July 2024.
In these capacities, she carried out the ceremonial proclamation of King Charles III‘s accession and played a standout role at his coronation on 6 May 2023, becoming the first woman ever to carry the 17th‑century Sword of State, then present the Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King in Westminster Abbey.
The sword‑bearing duties, which lasted over an hour, were widely praised for their poise and symbolic significance, especially given her background in the Royal Naval Reserve, which she credited in preparing her physically and mentally for the task.
Penny Mordaunt Conservative Leadership Contests
Penny Mordaunt participated in two Conservative Party leadership contests in 2022, following the resignations of Boris Johnson and later Liz Truss.
In the July–September 2022 race, Mordaunt officially launched her campaign after Johnson’s resignation, branding herself as a “fresh start” candidate.
Her campaign gained early popularity among party members, but she was eliminated in the final round of MP voting on 20 July 2022, narrowly losing to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
She then endorsed Truss for the final vote. When Truss resigned on 20 October 2022, Mordaunt declared her candidacy again for the October 2022 leadership contest, but struggled to secure the 100 MP nominations required.
Just minutes before the deadline on 24 October, she withdrew from the race, allowing Rishi Sunak to become Prime Minister unopposed.
Her leadership bids highlighted her socially liberal stances, including her controversial position on trans rights, which drew criticism from some within the party.
Nonetheless, she remained a prominent figure and was reappointed as Leader of the House of Commons by Sunak.
Post-Parliamentary Career (2025–Present)
Penny Mordaunt transitioned into prominent advisory and leadership roles following the loss of her parliamentary seat in May 2024.
In January 2025, she became Chair of the Board at SubSea Craft Limited, an advanced maritime technology firm based in Portsmouth, where she leverages her defence and naval experience to help scale cutting-edge platforms like the VICTA submersible and MARS unmanned surface vehicle for NATO-aligned partners.
Simultaneously, she took up a paid advisory role with British American Tobacco’s Transformation Advisory Board, focusing on tobacco harm reduction strategy, regulation, and communications, though this appointment drew criticism from public health advocates due to BAT’s reliance on combustible tobacco revenue (~80%).
In January 2025, she also became Chair of the Coalition for Global Prosperity, promoting UK leadership in defence, diplomacy, and development, and urging continued close ties with the United States.
Her post-ministerial appointments were subject to oversight by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which imposed conditions prohibiting lobbying and the use of privileged government information for two years.
Moreover, on 13 June 2025, Mordaunt was honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her public service and political contributions, including her defence and development work.
Penny Mordaunt’s Military Service
Penny Mordaunt served in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) from 2010 to 2019, beginning as an acting sub-lieutenant stationed at HMS King Alfred on Whale Island in Portsmouth.
From 2010 to 2015, she was an active reservist, but was later placed on List 6, a category for personnel unable to meet training commitments for over a year, meaning she had no annual training obligations and received no remuneration from the Navy during that time.
In April 2019, she officially left the RNR but was granted the honorary rank of Commander, and on 30 June 2021, she was further promoted to honorary Captain RNR.
Mordaunt has credited her naval training, especially in handling weapons and heavy ceremonial roles, with preparing her physically and mentally for events like carrying the Sword of State and Jewelled Sword of Offering at the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, where her composure and strength drew widespread admiration.
Penny Mordaunt’s Personal Life
Penny Mordaunt has a rich personal life reflecting her interests in community, science, and public service.
She has been a member of the British Astronomical Association, served as chair of the Wymering Manor Trust in Portsmouth (as of 2013), and ran the League of Friends visiting team at Queen Alexandra Hospital for eight years.
She also supports the Music Man Project, which provides musical opportunities to people with learning disabilities.
Mordaunt first married Paul Murray, whom she met at the University of Reading, in 1999, before divorcing in 2000.
From around 2008 to 2016, she was in a long-term relationship with Ian Lyon, a part-time classical singer and Portsmouth City Councillor; they shared a household with several Burmese cats (her total is four) but had no children together.
Her hobbies include astronomy, painting, dance, and music, and she owns four Burmese cats, some named after Shakespearean characters, according to reports.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she welcomed a Ukrainian refugee into her home, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarianism.
In July 2022, Hampshire Police revealed that she received death threats, including a letter threatening to “shoot her in the head” and kill her family, prompting increased security at her constituency office.
Penny Mordaunt’s Views & Controversies
Penny Mordaunt has held a mix of socially liberal and conservative views, often placing her at the center of political debate.
As Minister for Women and Equalities in 2018, she stated that “trans men are men, trans women are women,” sparking backlash from traditionalists within her party.
During her 2022 leadership bid, she attempted to clarify her stance by affirming biological definitions of womanhood, a shift critics called political opportunism.
In the 2016 EU referendum, she campaigned for Brexit, controversially claiming the UK had no veto on Turkey’s accession to the EU, a statement widely debunked and labeled “misleading.”
Mordaunt has also drawn criticism for her support of homeopathy, signing a 2010 parliamentary motion advocating NHS funding for it, citing “overwhelming anecdotal evidence.”
As Paymaster General, she defied a long-standing government policy of non-engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain by meeting its Secretary General, Zara Mohammed, which drew criticism from think tanks like the Henry Jackson Society.
In June 2020, Mordaunt proposed a Royal Yacht replacement that would double as a humanitarian and trade vessel, viewed by some as a vanity project.
That same month, in response to the vandalism of war memorials, she controversially suggested that offenders be sent to military battle camps to “learn respect.”
Her 2014 appearance on the reality show Splash! was also controversial, but she defended it by donating her £10,000 fee to charity.
In 2023, she delivered a speech at the Conservative Party Conference, repeating the phrase “stand up and fight” twelve times, which went viral and was described as bizarre by commentators.
Penny Mordaunt’s Television Appearance
In January 2014, Penny Mordaunt appeared as a celebrity contestant on ITV’s diving show Splash!, mentored by Olympic diver Tom Daley.
Competing in heat three of the second series, she attempted a challenging backward dive from the 7.5 m board, but over‑rotated and catastrophically belly‑flopped into the pool, earning 22.5/30 from the judges before being eliminated alongside Paul Young and Patrick Monahan.
Despite criticism from political opponents who argued she should focus on constituency work, Mordaunt defended the appearance by emphasizing she donated her £10,000 fee plus sponsorship income to charity, £7,000 for the renovation of the Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, and the remainder to armed forces charities.
She described the experience as being well out of her comfort zone, “terrified of appearing on national television in my bathing suit, terrified of heights”, but said her Royal Naval Reserve training gave her the resolve to persevere.
Years later, as Commons Leader, she even joked that her most‑watched online moments still stem from that infamous splash rather than her parliamentary exchanges.
Penny Mordaunt’s Publications
Penny Mordaunt is the co‑author, with Chris Lewis, of two notable books on British politics and society.
Her first book, Greater: Britain After the Storm, was published in May 2021 and won the Parliamentary Book Award for Best Non‑Fiction Book by a Parliamentarian that same year.
It offers an optimistic post‑Brexit vision for Britain, blending social commentary, political reform proposals, and reflections on national unity, earning praise from figures such as Sir Richard Branson, Tony Blair, and Sir Elton John.
Her forthcoming second book, Pomp and Circumstance: How Our Traditions Shape Our Future, is set for release on 16 September 2025 and explores the power of British traditions, from coronations and parliamentary rituals to local customs, to reinforce identity and guide modern governance.
Penny Mordaunt’s Honours and Decorations
Penny Mordaunt was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours on 13 June 2025, in recognition of her contributions to political and public service, notably her historic ceremonial role during the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 as the first woman to carry the Sword of State and present the Jewelled Sword of Offering.
Additionally, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her involvement in the accession and coronation proceedings.
Mordaunt expressed her gratitude following the announcement, saying it was “lovely to be appreciated in this way” and acknowledging that her achievements were the result of collective effort.
Penny Mordaunt’s Net Worth
£3.3 million: Several estimates, including Apumone, value her net worth at approximately £3.3 million (~$4.1 million)
Penny Mordaunt’s Values and Impact
Penny Mordaunt’s values and impact are shaped by her emphasis on trust, integrity, service, and public cohesion.
In speeches like the one at the 2023 Institute for Government conference, she warned that democracy and capitalism “hang in the balance” if public trust isn’t restored.
She noted that many people, especially the most vulnerable, feel the system is “rigged” against them, arguing that legitimacy must be rebuilt when people feel understood.
During her tenure as Secretary of State for International Development, Mordaunt advocated for ethical aid delivery, urging agencies to prioritize duty of care over reputation, focusing on impact metrics and transformative leadership in poverty reduction.
Her leadership platform has consistently emphasized fiscal responsibility, arguing that cutting wasteful public spending is essential to economic growth.
She supports localising government, increasing fiscal devolution, and empowering MPs with local investment control to rebuild trust at the community level, campaign ideas drawn from her book, and leadership bids.
In international affairs, Mordaunt positioned the UK as a values-driven global leader, urging active roles in coalitions like the D10 democracies, and focused UK aid on inclusion, innovation, and fragile states.
Politically, she remains known for resilience and principle, surviving two unsuccessful leadership bids to retain her profile. Commentators note she nearly secured Conservative leadership twice and remains a well-regarded figure within the party, independent of factional divides.
However, some of her appointments and positions have generated controversy; for instance, teaming up with British American Tobacco in an advisory role drew sharp criticism from health advocates over conflict with global tobacco control standards, despite advisory restrictions from post‑ministerial rules.
Mordaunt’s public debates further solidified her reputation.
During a multi-party televised debate, she challenged Labour’s Angela Rayner over nuclear deterrent inconsistency and underscored Conservative credibility on defence and NHS issues.
Yet, her star moment came at King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, where she became the first woman to carry the Sword of State and present the Jewelled Sword of Offering, drawing national admiration for poise and symbolism rooted in her Royal Naval service.
Penny Mordaunt Social Media
Instagram: @pennymordauntofficial
Twitter: @PennyMordaunt
FAQs
1: Who is Penny Mordaunt?
Penny Mordaunt is a British Conservative politician, former MP for Portsmouth North (2010–2024), and the first female UK Defence Secretary. She also served as Leader of the House of Commons from 2022 to 2024.
2: What is Penny Mordaunt’s full name?
Her full name is Penelope Mary Mordaunt.
3: When and where was Penny Mordaunt born?
She was born on 4 March 1973 in Torquay, Devon, England.
4: How old is Penny Mordaunt now (2025)?
She is 52 years old.
5: What was her role in King Charles III’s coronation?
As Lord President of the Council, she carried the Sword of State, becoming the first woman in history to perform that role at a British coronation.
6: Did Penny Mordaunt serve in the military?
Yes, she served in the Royal Naval Reserve (2010–2019) and holds the honorary rank of Captain.
7: What is Penny Mordaunt’s educational background?
She studied Philosophy at the University of Reading, graduating with upper second-class honours in 1995.
8: Did she run for Conservative Party leadership?
Yes, twice in 2022 – first losing to Liz Truss and then withdrawing in favor of Rishi Sunak.
9: What is Penny Mordaunt’s book?
She co-authored “Greater: Britain After the Storm” in 2021 with Chris Lewis.
10: What TV show did she appear on?
In 2014, she appeared on ITV’s Splash!, donating her fee to charity.
11: What caused her 2024 election defeat?
She lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour’s Amanda Martin in a landslide Labour victory during the 2024 general election.
12: Is Penny Mordaunt married?
She was married to Paul Murray in 1999, but they divorced a year later. She has no children.
13: What is Penny Mordaunt’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between £3.3 million and £4.8 million.
14: What positions has she held in the UK government?
Defence Secretary
Minister for Women & Equalities
International Development Secretary
Leader of the House of Commons
Trade Minister
Paymaster General
Minister for the Armed Forces
15: What are her social media handles?
In Conclusion
Dame Penny Mordaunt is a trailblazing British politician known for her service as the first female UK Defence Secretary, her role in the coronation of King Charles III, and her leadership bids during a turbulent time in British politics.
Her journey from public relations to senior government roles, military service in the Royal Naval Reserve, and her outspoken stance on issues like Brexit, gender identity, and national defence, made her one of the most recognizable Conservative figures of the 2010s and early 2020s.
Though she lost her parliamentary seat in 2024, her impact remains notable, especially as a symbol of modern Conservative leadership and resilience.
Penny Mordaunt’s blend of political experience, media savviness, and ceremonial prominence ensures her place in recent UK political history.
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