From Wood Hall to Gordon House
Portia Lucretia Simpson Miller, affectionately called “Sista P” or “Mama P,” was born on December 12, 1945, in Wood Hall, St. Catherine. Raised in modest circumstances, she attended Marlie Hill Primary, St Catherine High, and St Martin’s High in Kingston. Later, while already serving as a government minister, she pursued higher education and earned a BA in Public Administration in 1997 from Union Institute & University in Ohio.
Her political career began in 1974 when she was elected a councillor in Trench Town West for the People’s National Party (PNP). In 1976, she became the Member of Parliament for St Andrew South Western, a constituency she represented for nearly three decades. Over that time, she held a wide range of ministerial portfolios, including Labour, Welfare, Social Security, Tourism, Local Government, Defence, Development, Information and Sports.
Breaking the Highest Barrier
On March 30, 2006, Portia Simpson Miller was sworn in as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, the first woman to lead the nation and the third woman in the Anglophone Caribbean to hold the post. Her elevation was historic, a moment when women across the island and region saw barriers fall before their eyes.
Although her first term ended after a narrow loss in the 2007 election, she remained undaunted. She conceded gracefully, regrouped, and prepared for another chance to lead.
The 2011 Comeback and Governing Record
That chance came in the December 2011 general election, when her PNP secured a decisive victory. Simpson Miller returned to the premiership with a strong mandate, winning 42 of the 63 parliamentary seats.
Her government pursued major fiscal reforms, passing tax-incentive legislation in 2013 and implementing a fiscal rule in 2014 to tighten spending discipline. These policies were milestones in Jamaica’s economic management.
International recognition followed. In 2012, Time Magazine included her in its 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting her impact on Jamaica and beyond.
A Razor-Thin Loss and Dignified Exit
The 2016 general election was one of the closest in Jamaica’s history. The Jamaica Labour Party claimed 32 seats to the PNP’s 31, marking a razor-thin defeat for Simpson Miller. She again assumed the role of Opposition Leader but, recognizing the need for renewal in her party, announced in late 2016 that she would step down. By March 2017, Dr. Peter Phillips succeeded her as PNP leader, and she retired from Parliament later that year.
What She Stood For
Throughout her career, Simpson Miller was a champion of equality and social justice. She endorsed the idea of Jamaica becoming a republic, free from monarchical ties, and broke new ground during the 2011 campaign when she said openly that competence — not sexual orientation — should determine leadership opportunities. Her stance on equality marked a turning point in Jamaica’s political discourse.
Honours and Recognition
For her service, Simpson Miller received the Order of the Nation in 2006, granting her the style “The Most Honourable.” She was also named Person of the Year by Jamaica’s major newspapers in 2011, and her presence was often felt at international forums where she represented Jamaica with charisma and conviction.
The Person Behind the Podium
Despite her commanding titles, Portia Simpson Miller’s bond with ordinary Jamaicans was what defined her most. She was known for her warmth, her famous hugs and kisses, and her ability to connect with the people in a way that few leaders ever could. To many in Kingston’s inner-city communities, she was not just a politician but a genuine advocate who understood their struggles.
In 1998, she married businessman Errald Miller, who has been her steadfast partner in public life and now in private care.
The Quiet Battle with Dementia
In September 2025, Errald Miller confirmed publicly that his wife is living with dementia, a condition that gradually affects memory, communication, and reasoning. Though she has not reached the most debilitating stages, the illness has changed her daily life. Miller, deeply emotional, declared that his only purpose now is caring for her.
Even with these challenges, Simpson Miller still enjoys simple routines, such as regular visits to the hairdresser and cherished moments with close friends. She continues to express recognition through her trademark hugs and kisses. Her husband has fiercely protected her dignity, limiting photographs and shielding her from unwanted intrusion.
A Lasting Legacy
Portia Simpson Miller’s story is one of resilience and service. From rural beginnings to becoming the nation’s first woman prime minister, she broke barriers, enacted meaningful reforms, and gave voice to those too often unheard.
Today, as she lives quietly with dementia, her legacy endures — in the policies she championed, the barriers she broke, and the lives she touched. She remains a towering figure in Jamaica’s modern history, a leader remembered not only for what she achieved but also for the way she carried herself: with strength, compassion, and an unshakable bond with the people.
