New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomes baby girl, becoming first world leader to give birth since 1990

Erin Donnelly
·Editor


New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the arrival of a baby girl. Ardern is the first world leader to give birth since 1990, the BBC reports. That year, Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar, becoming the first modern head of government to have a baby while in office.

Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford are proud parents. (Photo: Getty Images)
Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford are proud parents. (Photo: Getty Images)

The as-yet-unnamed infant is the first child for the 37-year-old Ardern and her partner, TV personality Clarke Gayford, 40. According to interviews the politician gave when she announced her pregnancy in January, Gayford will be transitioning into the role of stay-at-home dad. Ardern also told reporters that she is “not the first woman to multitask” — even though she’s only the second modern world leader to hit this particular milestone.

Ardern shared a photo of her family on Instagram.

Sources say that the baby arrived without much fanfare, with Gayford driving Ardern to a public hospital.

Ardern — who is the world’s youngest female head of government — will now have six weeks of maternity leave before returning to work. Winston Peters will serve as acting prime minister in the interim.

Many are eager to see how Ardern — who has joked about installing baby seats in her government cars —represents working mothers when she returns to the job.

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