Ian Paisley

Date of Birth: April 6, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 12, 2014

Biography

Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, Baron Bannside, commonly known as Ian Paisley, was a prominent Northern Irish politician and religious leader. He was born on April 6, 1926, in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Paisley was known for his staunch unionist stance and was a founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in 1971, which he led for almost 40 years. Paisley was also a devout evangelical Christian and founded the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster in 1951, serving as its leader until 2008. His vocal opposition to the Roman Catholic Church and Irish nationalism earned him a polarizing reputation. Despite his divisive rhetoric, he played a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process, culminating in the historic St Andrews Agreement in 2006. In 2007, Paisley became the First Minister of Northern Ireland, sharing power with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness. This unlikely partnership was a significant step towards lasting peace in the region. Paisley retired from politics in 2011 and was subsequently made a life peer as Baron Bannside. He passed away on September 12, 2014, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by both conflict and reconciliation.

5 Interesting Facts about Ian Paisley

1. Ian Paisley founded the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in 1971.

2. He was a vocal critic of the Roman Catholic Church, often using inflammatory rhetoric.

3. Paisley served as the First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008.

4. He founded the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster in 1951.

5. Despite his hardline unionist stance, he played a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ian Paisley

1. “Never, never, never, never!”

2. “I am not going to sit down with bloodthirsty monsters who have been killing and terrifying my people.”

3. “Ulster is British, and British it will stay.”

4. “I will go to my grave with the conviction that I have done my duty to God and my country.”

5. “We must seek to heal divisions, not deepen them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Ian Paisley is not publicly documented, but as a prominent politician and religious leader, he had considerable influence and resources.

Children

Ian Paisley had five children with his wife, Eileen Paisley (née Cassells). His children are: 1. Rhonda Paisley 2. Sharon Paisley 3. Cherith Paisley 4. Kyle Paisley 5. Ian Paisley Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a prominent politician, serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for North Antrim.