Norma Major

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Dame Norma Major, DBE (born 12 February 1942) is the wife of Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister.

She is the daughter of the late Norman Wagstaff and the late Edith Johnson, and was born Norma Christina Elizabeth Wagstaff. Her father was killed in a motorcycle accident a few days after the end of World War II and her mother subsequently changed the family name back to her maiden name, so that she was called Norma Johnson as she was growing up. She was educated at a boarding school in Bexhill-on-Sea, Oakfield School in Dulwich, and Peckham School for Girls where she was Head Girl. She was a skilled dressmaker and trained as a teacher, working at St Michael and All Angels Church of England School, Camberwell.

It was at a Conservative Party meeting during the campaign for the 1970 Greater London Council elections that she was introduced to John Major by Peter Golds, a party agent who knew both. After a fast courtship, they were married on 3 October 1970. The Majors have a son, James Major, and a daughter, Elizabeth Major.

She kept a low profile during her time as wife to the Prime Minister, doing charity work and writing a book, Chequers: The Prime Minister's Country House and its History. She was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours, in recognition of her charity work.

There is some debate in the UK as to whether Dame Norma should be known as Dame Norma Major or Norma, Lady Major. If one is to base her correct title on the hierarchy of titles within the order of precedence of the United Kingdom, then it is correct that she should be known by the latter, as the wife of a Knight of the Garter would rank above a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. However, Dame Norma has made it clear on a number of occasions that, as her Damehood was awarded in her own right and not by virtue of her marriage to the former Prime Minister, she should be known as Dame Norma Major. At state and official functions, such as the 80th birthday party of Baroness Thatcher, the couple are announced as Sir John and Dame Norma Major. Her preferred title has therefore been recognised both personally and officially, which is why she is referred to by that title in this article[1][2][3][4].

[edit] Titles from birth

Dame Norma's titles since her birth in chronological order are:

• Miss Norma Wagstaff (1942–1945)
• Miss Norma Johnson (1945–1970)
• Mrs John Major (1970–1999)
• Dame Norma Major, DBE (1999-2005)
• Norma, Lady Major, DBE (2005 onwards) - should be noted that Lady Major prefers to use the style "Dame Norma Major" as she acquired the distinction in her own right.