Date of Birth: May 12, 1947
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
Michael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic, and former politician. Born into a prominent family, Ignatieff pursued an illustrious academic career before transitioning into politics. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and was educated at the University of Toronto, University of Oxford, and Harvard University. Ignatieff is best known for his roles as a public intellectual and as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2008 to 2011. He has written extensively on themes of nationalism, human rights, and political ethics. Ignatieff’s political career began in earnest when he returned to Canada after many years abroad, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore in 2006. As leader of the Liberal Party, he aimed to revitalize the party and bring it back to its historical dominance in Canadian politics. However, his tenure as leader was marked by internal party struggles and external challenges, culminating in a significant defeat in the 2011 federal election, where the Liberal Party suffered its worst performance in its history. After resigning from political leadership, Ignatieff returned to academia and public commentary. He has since served as the President and Rector of Central European University in Budapest, where he has continued to engage in scholarly and public debates on democracy and human rights.
5 Interesting Facts about Michael Ignatieff
1. Michael Ignatieff is the grandson of Count Pavel Ignatieff, who was a minister of education to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
2. Before his political career, Ignatieff was a well-known broadcaster and writer; he authored several books, including “The Lesser Evil: Political Ethics in an Age of Terror.”
3. Ignatieff was a prominent figure in the BBC’s “The History of Britain” series, which examined the nation’s past through a modern lens.
4. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his contributions to Canadian public life.
5. Ignatieff has been a vocal advocate for academic freedom and has taken a strong stance against political interference in universities, particularly during his tenure at Central European University.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Michael Ignatieff
1. “Living in a democratic society entails responsibility as well as rights.”
2. “The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress.”
3. “Democracy is a contract between citizens who agree to act responsibly for the common good.”
4. “Nationalism does not have to be about exclusion; it can be a way of understanding who we are and where we come from.”
5. “Human rights are the foundation of human dignity and the basis for a just society.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Michael Ignatieff’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Michael Ignatieff has two children: a son named Theo Ignatieff and a daughter named Sophie Ignatieff.
Relevant Links
1. [Michael Ignatieff – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ignatieff
