Quickfire Q+A with Cherie Blair, Judge, Author and Humanitarian (and the wife of Tony Blair)

The first in her family to go to university, Cherie Blair became a lawyer and didn’t quit working when her husband became Prime Minister of Britain. She has four kids and never took a full maternity leave. After 10 Downing Street, she started the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Her accomplishments are indisputable, but she’s been called out and called to task for comments on the Middle East, religion and the sexy parts of her memoirs, too. She’s unafraid and often unapologetic—and no matter what, we love that.

AS TOLD TO JASMINE MILLER

The most educational experience I’ve ever had was…
Meeting inspiring women around the world as wife of the Prime Minister.

I am most proud of the fact that I…
Set up my own Foundation for Women and that we’ve been able to help over 100,000 women in over 70 countries.

When it comes to my current job, I would describe my main responsibility as…
Speaking about the importance of women’s economic empowerment.

I knew I was good at that when…
I often spoke up at school—sometimes that got me into trouble!

2 words that described me when I was 25-years-old…
Focused and diligent.

Before I die…
I am determined that the world achieves gender equality before I die.

A memorable failure happened when…
I famously opened the door in my dressing gown in front of the press.

I got over it by…
Laughing—a sense of humour is essential if you want to survive life in the spotlight.

2 words that describe me today are…
Mother and lawyer.

It won’t be a good day unless…
I have a cup of tea in the morning.

I define success as…
Achieving your goals—whether it is looking after your children at home or succeeding in the office. What’s important is that women have the same opportunities as men to define their own goals.

One thing I want the young women in my industry to know is…
They can and should reach out to other women for advice, guidance and support.

2 words I hope describe me 25 years from now are…
Spirited and busy.

My workday starts when…
I have a cup of herbal tea.

A person can’t find a mentor without…
Being bold enough to ask.

Having a five-year-plan is…
Essential.

My mentors are…
I’ve had too many to name them all. Hillary Clinton was a real mentor to me during my time as wife of the British Prime Minister.

As a kid, I was given this advice…
Work hard, and you can be whatever you choose to be.

My personal tag line, slogan, is…
You only live once.

When I was first starting in my career, I wish someone had told me…
It is possible to strike a balance between motherhood and work, and it’s important for you to decide how best to do that.

I get angry when…
I think about the women and girls who still don’t have equal access to education and career opportunities.

If you would like to become a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, find out more at cherieblairfoundation.org/mentoring