Cora Waldegrave de Portillo worked as a censor in the postal service and for the BBC Latin American service, having read Spanish and French at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. She was also best known as the mother of Michael Portillo, a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Conservative Party politician. From 1999 to 2005, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997 and Kensington and Chelsea.
Cora Waldegrave de Portillo Wiki
Cora Waldegrave de Portillo was the daughter of John Waldegrave Blyth, of Wilby House, Kirkcaldy, Scotland, a millionaire linen manufacturer and art-collector from a well-known linen-weaving family. She grew up enclosed by the opulence of her father’s wealth and the beauty of her art collection.
Her upbringing in a family with a strong legacy in the linen industry has also fix in her a deep appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating luxurious fabrics.
| Cora | Bio |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Cora Waldegrave de Portillo |
| Father | John Waldegrave Blyth |
| Children | 5, including Michael Portillo |
| Husband | Luis Gabriel Portillo |
| Birthplace | Wilby House, Kirkcaldy, Scotland |
Husband
Cora Waldegrave de Portillo was married with Luis Gabriel Portillo who was a Spanish professor, left-wing politician and writer who lived in exile in the United Kingdom. They had five sons, including Michael Portillo, served as a junior minister under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, former Conservative Party politician and Cabinet Minister. In 1993, Portillo died having suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Cora Waldegrave de Portillo’s Son: Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former politician. He was a Member of Parliament from 1984 to 1997, representing the Conservative Party. After leaving politics, Portillo became well-known for hosting various television programs, including the popular BBC series “Great British Railway Journeys.”
Portillo has never forgotten his roots and often speaks fondly of his mother, Cora Waldegrave de Portillo, who played a significant role in shaping his values and ambition. In 1994, he was promoted to Secretary of State for Employment. He made a programme on Spanish wildlife for BBC Two’s The Natural World series, in 2006. He recalls,
“My British grandparents lived in Kirkcaldy, in Fife, and my mother used to take me to see them. It took 13 hours from London on a night train called the Starlight Special and it was a magnificent journey, taken in those days on a steam engine, culminating in the crossing of the Firth of Forth over the Forth Bridge. During roughly the same era we used to have summer holidays on the Isle of Wight, where there was a stunning steam railway that ran between Ryde and Ventnor, which I loved.”