Cherie Blair was born in Bury in 1954 but moved when very young to Liverpool where she grew up. The first member of her family to go to university, she studied law at the London School of Economics. Called to the Bar in 1976, she became a Queens Counsel in 1995 and was a founder member of Matrix Chambers. She sat as a Recorder, as part-time judges are known, from 1999-2015; she is also an accredited mediator and arbitrator.

Her fellow trainee at her first chambers was Tony Blair. The couple married in 1980 and have four children - the youngest, Leo, being the first child born to a serving Prime Minister for over a century.

As well as fighting for human rights in her professional career, Cherie is an active campaigner on equality and human rights issues. She has spoken across the world on both issues and also on the need for improved work/life balance for both women and men.

Mrs Blair published her autobiography: 'Speaking for Myself ' in 2008.

Later that year Cherie set up her charity; the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. She believes that by empowering and supporting women around the world, they can play an increasingly important role in their economies and societies. The Foundation works with women in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, helping them generate their own income and developing projects which encourage them to become successful and self sustaining entrepreneurs.

Cherie is also closely involved with over 20 charities with a special emphasis on those working with women, with children, and with those based on Merseyside. She is Honorary Vice President of Barnados, President of the Loomba Foundation, Patron of Scope and Patron of a number of charities, including Breast Cancer Care. She was an Ambassador for London 2012. Cherie has been a member of the Labour Party since she was 16.

Cherie was awarded a CBE in the 2013 New Year's Honours List for services to Women's Issues and to charity in the UK and Overseas.

Female Leadership, Women's Rights, Influential Women, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Philanthropy, Women,