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A future prime minister's wife?

Broadcast Date: Nov. 22, 1975

When asked if her husband might be prime minister of Canada one day, Mila Mulroney tells CBC Television that she can't think that far ahead. The 22-year-old wife and mother certainly has her hands full with her 17-month-old daughter and another baby on the way. Her husband also has his hands full having announced his candidacy to be the next leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party on Nov. 13, 1975.

Mulroney is considered a dark horse. He has never run for public office but that hasn't stopped the 36-year-old from becoming a media darling. The charismatic candidate has been dubbed a charmer lacking substance. But Mulroney seems poised to overcome that image.

A future prime minister's wife?

• Brian Mulroney met his wife Mila Pivnicki few days shy of her 19th birthday. Her family had immigrated to Montreal from Bosnia when she was five.
• Mila's father, Dr. Dimitrije Pivnicki, was a prominent psychiatrist whose patients included Margaret Trudeau. (John Sawatsky's Mulroney: The Politics of Ambition 1991)

• Brian Mulroney married Mila Pivnicki on May 26, 1973. With her winning smile and charm, Mila would become Mulroney's biggest supporter and his greatest asset. She was seen as the perfect political wife. She impressed people with her good looks, quick wit and organizational skills.
• Brian and Mila Mulroney have four children; Caroline, Ben, Mark and Nicolas.

A future prime minister's wife?

Medium: Television

Program: CBC Television News

Broadcast Date: Nov. 22, 1975

Guest(s): Brian Mulroney, Mila Mulroney

Reporter: Ron Laplante

Duration: 3:11

Last updated:
Nov. 23, 2004