Childhood and Education Journey of Glenda Jackson in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Glenda Jackson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Glenda Jackson (1936-2023) was a celebrated English actress and Labour Party politician. She achieved EGOT status and earned two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award for her acting career. Simultaneously, Jackson served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 23 years, representing Hampstead and Highgate (1992-2010) and later Hampstead and Kilburn (2010-2015). She balanced her successful acting career with dedicated political service.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1957: Met Roy Hodges

In 1957, Glenda Jackson met Roy Hodges, a stage manager and fellow actor.

August 1958: Marriage to Roy Hodges

On August 2, 1958, Glenda Jackson married Roy Hodges at St Marylebone Register Office in London.

1969: Birth of son Dan

In 1969, Glenda Jackson's son, Dan, was born.

October 1974: Supported Women's Rights candidacy

In October 1974, Glenda Jackson supported Una Kroll's Women's Rights candidacy for Sutton and Cheam in the United Kingdom general election.

1975: Affair with Andy Phillips and divorce filing

In 1975, Glenda Jackson began an affair with Andy Phillips, and Roy Hodges sued Jackson for divorce in November of that year.

1975: Voted against EEC membership

In 1975, Glenda Jackson voted against Britain continuing in the European Economic Community.

1976: Divorce from Roy Hodges

In 1976, Glenda Jackson was divorced from Roy Hodges.

1978: Sponsored Anti-Nazi League and appeared in Oxfam advertisement

In 1978, Glenda Jackson sponsored the Anti-Nazi League and appeared in a print advertisement for Oxfam.

1979: Began a social science degree at the Open University

In 1979, Glenda Jackson began a social science degree at the Open University but dropped out a few months later.

1979: Was approached to stand at the general election

In 1979, Glenda Jackson was approached by a Constituency Labour Party (CLP) in Bristol to stand at the general election, but this did not happen.

1981: End of relationship with Andy Phillips

In 1981, Glenda Jackson's on-off relationship with Andy Phillips ended.

1983: Turned down the chance to be a candidate

In 1983, Glenda Jackson turned down an approach to be a candidate for the marginal Welsh seat of Bridgend to pursue a humanities degree at Thames Polytechnic. She dropped out before starting the course. She supported Paul Boateng and Ian Wilson, Labour's candidates for Hertfordshire West and Watford.

1985: Congratulatory telegram to Neil Kinnock

In 1985, Glenda Jackson sent Neil Kinnock a congratulatory telegram after his Labour Party Conference speech criticizing Militant.

1986: Visited Ethiopia with Oxfam

In 1986, Glenda Jackson visited Ethiopia as part of Oxfam's efforts to help with the famine.

February 1987: Appeared in a party political broadcast for Labour

In February 1987, Glenda Jackson appeared in a party political broadcast for Labour.

September 1988: Chaired a United Nations committee on the cultural boycott

In September 1988, Glenda Jackson chaired a United Nations committee on the cultural boycott.

December 1989: Rumored to be approached by Leeds East CLP

In December 1989, it was rumored that Glenda Jackson had been approached by two branches of Leeds East CLP to succeed their Labour MP, Denis Healey, but she turned down the opportunity.

1989: Approached Voluntary Service Overseas

In 1989, Glenda Jackson approached Voluntary Service Overseas about the chance of working in Africa for a couple of years.

March 1990: Won the ballot for Hampstead and Highgate CLP

On 28 March 1990, Glenda Jackson won the ballot for Hampstead and Highgate CLP, defeating Kate Allen, Sarah Palmer, and Maureen Robinson.

November 1990: Thatcher stepped down as prime minister

In November 1990, Margaret Thatcher stepped down as prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

1991: Retired from acting to devote herself to politics

In 1991, Glenda Jackson retired from acting to focus on politics full-time as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Highgate.

1992: Gained the seat for Hampstead and Highgate

In 1992, Glenda Jackson gained the parliamentary seat for Hampstead and Highgate, narrowly beating the Conservative candidate Oliver Letwin. She was sponsored by the train drivers' union, ASLEF.

1992: Voted into Parliament

In July 2022, Glenda Jackson reflected on Parliament not being welcoming to women when she was voted in during the 1992 general election.

1992: Supported John Smith in leadership election

In the 1992 Labour Party leadership election, Glenda Jackson supported the successful candidate, John Smith.

1994: Backed Tony Blair in leadership election

In the 1994 leadership election, Glenda Jackson backed Tony Blair, who won and became prime minister.

July 1996: Became shadow transport minister

In July 1996, Glenda Jackson became shadow transport minister.

1997: Re-elected and appointed junior minister

Following Labour's victory in the 1997 general election, Glenda Jackson was re-elected and appointed as a junior minister in Tony Blair's government, with responsibility for London Regional Transport.

1999: Resigned from her post

In 1999, Glenda Jackson resigned from her post as junior minister in London Regional Transport.

2000: Unsuccessful attempt to be nominated as Labour candidate for mayor of London

In 2000, Glenda Jackson unsuccessfully attempted to be nominated as the Labour candidate for the election of the first mayor of London, coming third behind Frank Dobson and Ken Livingstone.

2001: Re-elected to represent her constituency

In 2001, Glenda Jackson was re-elected to represent her constituency at the general election.

2003: Called for Blair to resign

In 2003, Glenda Jackson called for Tony Blair to resign following the Judicial Enquiry by Lord Hutton surrounding the Iraq War and the death of David Kelly.

October 2005: Threatened to challenge Blair as a stalking horse candidate

In October 2005, Glenda Jackson threatened to challenge Tony Blair as a stalking horse candidate in a leadership contest.

October 2006: Backed call for an inquiry into the Iraq War

On 31 October 2006, Glenda Jackson was one of 12 Labour MPs to back Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party's call for an inquiry into the Iraq War.

2008: Supported Gordon Brown as prime minister

In 2008, Glenda Jackson voiced her support for Gordon Brown as prime minister.

2010: Voted for David Miliband in leadership election

In the 2010 Labour Party leadership election, Glenda Jackson voted for David Miliband.

2015: Supported Jeremy Corbyn

Following her departure from Parliament, in 2015 Glenda Jackson stated that she supported Jeremy Corbyn "as a person".

2016: Supported remaining in the European Union

In 2016, Glenda Jackson supported Britain remaining in the European Union in the Brexit referendum, despite having previously voted against EEC membership.

2016: Reported to be 'happily single'

In 2016, it was reported that Glenda Jackson had been "happily single for decades".

July 2020: Happy with Keir Starmer as party leader

In July 2020, Glenda Jackson declared herself happy with Keir Starmer as party leader.

July 2022: Commented on Keir Starmer's voice

In July 2022, Glenda Jackson commented on Keir Starmer, wishing he would develop his voice.

July 2022: British Film Institute celebrated Jackson's film and television career

In July 2022, the British Film Institute held a month-long retrospective season at the BFI Southbank in London to celebrate Glenda Jackson's film and television career. It included screenings of her work and an interview with Jackson.