Alex Salmond's wife Moira stood by husband's side for 40 years

-Credit: (Image: PA)
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Alex Salmond was married to his wife Moira Salmond for more than 40 years during his decades-long political career.

The 87-year-old, from Peebles, married Salmond in 1981. The couple had no children.

They met in the 1970s when Moira was his boss at the Scottish Office in London. She worked in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries when he joined as an assistant economist.

Mrs Salmond was known to keep a low profile and gave only one interview with the Sunday Post in 1990.

READ MORE: Alex Salmond dead aged 69 LIVE as former First Minister passes away hours after giving speech

Political giant Salmond was the leader of the SNP from 1990 to 2000 and again from 2004 to 2014. He served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and launched an independence campaign.

But Moira, during her years as "First Lady" rarely took part in official duties on camera. She is reportedly to have accompanied him on annual overnight stays with the Queen at Balmoral but rarely stayed at Bute House.

She quietly accompanied her husband on a visit to the US in 2008 while he was FM of Scotland, and again on trips in 2011 and 2021 to the United Arab Emirates.

Moira was also known to attend SNP events and fundraisers near the couple's home in Aberdeenshire, and would join the politician at private dinners with business leaders.

In an interview in 2007, Salmond confessed her influence on him was "very substantial."

She also famously stood by him when he was accused and cleared of 13 sex attacks on nine women. Moira was pictured with her husband outside Edinburgh's High Court as he prepared to give evidence.

He was found not guilty of attempted rape and cleared of all charges after an 11-day trial.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.