Suella Braverman, who has recently been sacked as Home Secretary for the second time, has a unique and interesting backstory. Let's take a closer look at her childhood and discover the origins of her name.
Early Life and Heritage
Braverman, born on April 3, 1980, in Harrow, London, comes from a diverse background. Her mother is Kenyan, and her father is Mauritian. She grew up in the vibrant neighborhood of Wembley.
A Name Inspired by TV
Interestingly, Braverman's real name is Sue-Ellen Cassiana Fernandes. Her mother, a fan of the popular TV soap Dallas, named her after one of the lead characters, Sue-Ellen Ewing. Portrayed by Linda Gray, Sue-Ellen Ewing was the wife of the infamous oil tycoon J.R. Ewing. However, Braverman's primary school teachers preferred the name "Suella" and used it on her coat tag, and it stuck ever since. She humorously admits to being more of a fan of the rival soap Dynasty.
Education and Career
Braverman excelled in her studies, graduating from Queens' College, Cambridge, with a law degree. She further pursued her academic journey by completing a Master's in European and French law at Pantheon-Sorbonne University. During her time at Cambridge, she served as the President of the Cambridge University Conservative Association. She also became a qualified attorney in New York state after passing the NY Bar exams.
Personal Life
In February 2018, Braverman married Rael Braverman in a wedding attended by more than 100 people. The couple has two children together, a son named George, born in July 2019, and a daughter named Gabriella, born in March 2021. Notably, Braverman made history as the first cabinet minister to take maternity leave after the birth of her daughter.
A Sudden Departure
Braverman's recent dismissal from her role as Home Secretary came after she was accused of exacerbating violent clashes on Armistice Day by criticizing the Metropolitan Police chiefs. In a brief statement, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Home Secretary and hinted at having more to say in the future.
As the political landscape continues to shift with a major cabinet reshuffle led by Rishi Sunak, James Cleverly will replace Braverman as Home Secretary, and former Prime Minister David Cameron will make a surprising comeback as Foreign Secretary. Additionally, Health Minister Neil O'Brien and Schools Minister Nick Gibb have also stepped down from their government positions.
