Name Elizabeth Baroness Role John Smith's wife | Spouse John Smith (m. 1967) Education University of Glasgow | |
Elizabeth Margaret Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill DL (born 4 June 1940), is a British peer and patron of the arts. She is the widow of John Smith, the former Labour Party leader.
Born Elizabeth Margaret Bennett, Smith was educated at Hutchesons' Girls Grammar School and Glasgow University.
Baroness Smith is president of Scottish Opera and served as chairman of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1995 to 2012. She is also a governor of the English-Speaking Union and a board member of the Centre for European Reform. She was created a life peer as Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, of Gilmorehill in the District of the City of Glasgow on 17 February 1995. The Baroness has claimed more than £600,000 in expenses since 2002, when she asked a written question to the ministers.
Smith received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 1998
She was formerly the chair of the board of directors of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
She has three daughters, Sarah Smith, the Scottish television journalist, Jane, and Catherine.