Alexander Downer

Date of Birth: September 9, 1951

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Alexander John Gosse Downer, born September 9, 1951, in Adelaide, South Australia, is a prominent Australian politician and diplomat, best known for his long tenure as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 2007. Downer hails from a distinguished political family; his father, Sir Alick Downer, was also a politician and diplomat, and his grandfather, Sir John Downer, was a founding father of the Australian constitution and a Premier of South Australia. Downer was educated at Radley College in England and graduated from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Politics. Before entering politics, he worked as an economist with the Bank of New South Wales and later served as an Australian diplomat. Downer was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 1984 as the Liberal Member for Mayo. In 1994, Downer briefly served as Leader of the Opposition but was replaced by John Howard in 1995. Under Howard’s leadership, Downer was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs after the Liberal Party’s victory in the 1996 election. During his tenure, Downer played a crucial role in shaping Australia’s foreign policy, including its involvement in the East Timor crisis and its strong support for the United States in the War on Terror. After leaving politics, Downer served as the United Nations Special Envoy to Cyprus and later as the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018. He has continued to contribute to public debate through various media appearances and writings.

5 Interesting Facts about Alexander Downer

1. Alexander Downer was the longest-serving Minister for Foreign Affairs in Australian history, serving from 1996 to 2007.

2. He played a key role in the international intervention in East Timor in 1999, which led to the country’s independence from Indonesia.

3. Downer was appointed as the United Nations Special Envoy to Cyprus from 2008 to 2014, working on the reunification of the island.

4. He served as the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018.

5. Downer has been a vocal advocate for free trade and was instrumental in negotiating several free trade agreements during his tenure as Foreign Minister.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alexander Downer

1. “Diplomacy is not about short-term wins; it’s about long-term stability and peace.”

2. “The strength of our alliances and partnerships defines our ability to navigate global challenges.”

3. “Australia must always stand firm in its values, even in the face of international pressure.”

4. “Economic prosperity and national security are two sides of the same coin.”

5. “In the age of globalization, no country can afford to be an island unto itself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Approximately $10 million (estimated at the peak of his career)

Children

Alexander Downer has four children: Georgina Downer, who has followed in her father’s footsteps into politics, and her three siblings, Olivia, Edward, and Henrietta Downer.