Inside Simon Harris' family life with kids and wife Caoimhe
Simon Harris became Ireland's youngest Taoiseach in April but following the election, he's now formally resigned the role just days before Christmas.
He was first elected as a TD in 2011 and went on to act as a Junior Minister in the Department of Finance from 2014. He was soon playing with the big boys in Government when he was thrust into the role of Minister for Health when Fine Gael came into power in 2016.
However, behind the politics, Simon is also a husband and a father, sharing two children with his wife of seven years, Caoimhe. Here's everything to know about his life away from politics...
President Michael D Higgins with Simon Harris in Aras an Uachtarain where he formally tendered his resignation as Taoiseach as part of the formalities for the first sitting of the country's newly-elected parliament. Pic: Maxwells/PA Wire Education and rise in politicsSimon is from Greystones in Co. Wicklow and is the eldest of three Children. He went to St. David's in Greystones for secondary school where his ambition shone bright, with him being a prefect and head boy before he graduated in 2004.
He headed to DIT to study journalism and French but he deferred his final year to become a TD. By the age of 22, he was elected as a county councillor. He went on to become a TD at 24, a Junior Minister at 27, and a Health Minister by 29.
Simon Harris with his parents Mary and Bart after he was confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael. Pic: PA ImagesAhead of him being made Taoiseach, Simon's parents Bart and Mary spoke about his normal upbringing and told how he once had very different career plans.
Bart said: 'We used to go on holidays to Pontins in Wales in summer and he really wanted to be a Bluecoat. He had to settle for the blue shirt, I guess.'
From a young age, Simon always had a flair for campaigning. When brother Adam was diagnosed with autism, Simon, believing there was a lack of information out there, called a local meeting and encouraged any parents whose children had been diagnosed to attend.
Simon spoke further about his brother Adam on World Autism Awareness Day in April 2023, sharing a photo and saying he is 'incredibly proud' of Adam and all the 'work he does for so many families.'
He added: 'On a personal level, I am so grateful to him for being in our lives. When Adam was born and Autism became a reality in our home, everything changed, my childhood changed and while it certainly was challenging at times, it has given me a perspective on life that I simply wouldn’t have had otherwise.
'I wouldn’t be doing what I do, if it wasn’t for Adam and my family experience. So from one brother to another; thank you Adam. And let’s all keep raising awareness and let’s keep working to make the changes required in so many areas.'
Love and Marriage Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade on their wedding day. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins DublinSimon and his wife, Caoimhe Wade, who is originally from Wexford and is a clinical nurse specialist for paediatric palliative care, tied the knot in July 2017 in a beautiful ceremony in Wicklow.
The pair said 'I do' in St Patrick’s Church in Kilquade before dancing the night away at a lavish reception at Tinakilly House where the likes of then Taoiseach Enda Kenny were in attendance.
Caoimhe looked fabulous on their big day wearing a sweetheart beaded white dress by Sharon Hoey. The groom also looked dapper in a suit and bowtie.
Simon shared a few snaps from their wedding day to mark their first anniversary in 2018, saying he was a 'lucky man' to call Caoimhe his wife.
The couple welcomed their first child, Saoirse, in January 2019 followed by their son, Cillian, in 2021.
Soon after Cillian was born Simon joked that it was a baby's life as he shared a few photos from his paternity leave.
Simon spoke a little about being a dad, calling it his 'most important job' on Doireann Garrihy's Laughs Of Your Life podcast, telling the host how Saoirse was developing a fun personality.
He said: 'You know the way they become funny? For a while they are just babies and all of a sudden you come home one evening and they are a little person. They are running around and they have developed a little personality.'
Family life in the spotlightSimon has spoken openly about how his high-profile job affects his family life. 'When you are the Taoiseach people are going to come up and say hello to you,' he said on the 2 Johnnie's podcast.
The issue lies in 'trying to explain that to a five-year-old and a three-year-old as to why you can't go down the slide or push them on the swing or whatever else.'
Simon and Caoimhe have also been forced to deal with a few scary situations during 2024 including when there was a bomb scare at their home. It turned out to be a hoax but Simon later spoke out to call the incident an 'utterly unacceptable situation.'
But despite becoming Taoiseach, Simon's home life didn't change too much. He added: 'With young kids they don't really care what your job is. You are still dad and you still have to do your chores at home.
'I still do my fair share in the house, putting out the bin, ironing, and emptying the washing machine.'
Simon's daughter even got involved with the election in November, supporting her dad as he sorted leaflets at home.
Simon's health battleSimon was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was about 20. He'd been holidaying in Portugal when he was forced to have an emergency scope.
Luckily, he has no symptoms at the moment, and said in a recent interview that he's 'meant to take medication to maintain it.'
According to the HSE, Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. Stress can worsen symptoms, but Simon has found that this hasn't been the case.
'I’ve taken on one of the most stressful jobs in Ireland and it hasn’t. But for a lot of people, it can be very painful and debilitating. Thankfully, for me it’s not,' he told the Sunday Independent.
The TikTok TaoiseachSimon became one of the first TDs in Ireland to join TikTok, as he kept up with the latest trends as the then Minister for Higher Education in 2021.
However, he embarrassingly spelled the name of the app incorrectly in his first video, writing it as TicTok rather than TikTok! But he has stuck at it, posting regular videos and currently has more than 132k followers. Maybe if politics doesn't work out, he could have a career as an influencer!
What's next for Simon? Irish President Michael D Higgins with Simon Harris in Aras an Uachtarain where he formally tendered his resignation as Taoiseach. Pic: Maxwells/PA WireOn December 18, Simon formally tendered his resignation to President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin ahead of the first sitting of the new Dáil.
As no party holds a majority following the election, it's unlikely a new Taoiseach will be elected and therefore Simon will probably continue in the role for now.
See more pictures below: Simon Harris with his wife Caoimhe and children, Cillian and Saoirse. Pic: Maxwell Photography/ PA Wire Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade on their wedding day. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Simon Harris with Caoimhe in 2014. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Simon Harris' family in the Dail Chamber, Leinster House. Pic: Maxwells
