Laureen Harper

Laureen Teskey Harper (born 1963) is the wife of Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada since February 6, 2006 and Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Laureen was born in Turner Valley, a rural town located in the Rocky Mountain foothills just southwest of Calgary. Her parents were ranchers and owned an electrical contracting company.

Upon graduating from Oilfields High School in 1981, Laureen attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary where she studied photography and graphic arts.

After graduation she spent six months travelling in Africa where she visited 13 different countries, and therefore she has been interested in African topics since that time. She returned to Calgary and was employed for many years as a graphic artist.

Laureen started her own business in Calgary in 1989 and continued it until 2002. She moved to Ottawa after her husband was elected Leader of the Official Opposition in March 2002.

Laureen's volunteer efforts involve computer work for Rockcliffe Elementary School's annual book sale and the local library. She also offers her home to the Ottawa SPCA as a foster home for kittens.

In her spare time enjoys riding her motorcycle, newly purchased this past fall. She also has a love of photography and gardening.

She and Stephen have two children, Ben (born 1996) and Rachel (born 1999).