Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon (born 19 July 1970 in Irvine, Scotland) is a Scottish politician. On 20 November 2014, she became the 5th First Minister of Scotland. She became the leader of the Scottish National Party on 14 November 2014. She was previously the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, and Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). She is a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow Govan.

The Right Honourable Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Sturgeon in 2021
First Minister of Scotland
In office 20 November 2014 – 28 March 2023
Monarch	Elizabeth II Charles III
Deputy	John Swinney
Preceded by	Alex Salmond
Succeeded by	Humza Yousaf
Leader of the Scottish National Party
In office 14 November 2014 – 27 March 2023
Deputy	Stewart Hosie Angus Robertson Keith Brown
Preceded by	Alex Salmond
Succeeded by	Humza Yousaf
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
In office 17 May 2007 – 19 November 2014
First Minister	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Nicol Stephen
Succeeded by	John Swinney
Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party
In office 3 September 2004 – 14 November 2014
Leader	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Roseanna Cunningham
Succeeded by	Stewart Hosie
Ministerial offices Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities In office 5 September 2012 – 19 November 2014 First Minister Alex Salmond Preceded by Alex Neil Succeeded by Keith Brown Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing In office 17 May 2007 – 5 September 2012 First Minister Alex Salmond Preceded by Andy Kerr Succeeded by Alex Neil
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Southside Glasgow Govan (2007–2011)
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 May 2007
Preceded by	Gordon Jackson
Majority	9,593 (38.5%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow (1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
In office 6 May 1999 – 3 May 2007
Personal details
Born	Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon (1970-07-19) 19 July 1970 Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
Political party	Scottish National Party
Spouse(s)	Peter Murrell (m. 2010)
Parents	Robin Sturgeon Joan Kerr Ferguson
Residence	Bute House
Alma mater	University of Glasgow
Signature
Website	First Minister of Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon studied at the University of Glasgow and attempted to become a Member of Parliament at the 1992 and 1997 General Elections. In 1999, she became an MSP representing the Glasgow region. She became the Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party in 2004 and because Alex Salmond was still an MP, she was the SNP's leader in the Scottish Parliament until the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. At the 2007 election, Nicola Sturgeon became the MSP for Glasgow Govan and her party formed a minority government with Alex Salmond as First Minister.

On 20 November 2014, Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister of Scotland, succeeding Alex Salmond, who had resigned after defeat in the Scottish independence referendum. She is the first woman to hold this position.

Sturgeon lives in Glasgow, with her husband Peter Murrell.

In March 2023, Sturgeon resigned as First Minister and was succeeded by Humza Yousaf. She said that her resignation was because of the emotional toll the role took on her and for the false internet rumours about her sexuality and personal life.

Other websites

• Nicola Sturgeon's page at the Scottish Parliament Website
• Biography of Nicola Sturgeon on SNP website