Former Prime Minster of The Bahamas
Perry Gladstone Christie is a Bahamian politician and former Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Representing the Centreville constituency for forty years, Mr. Christie is the second longest-serving Bahamian elected parliamentarian.
Born in Nassau, Mr.Christie is the eldest son of Gladstone L. Christie, a cab driver, and Naomi Christie, a nurse. He attended the University Tutorial College, London Inner Temple, and Birmingham University, from which he graduated with honours in 1969.
Mr. Christie was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Lynden Pindling effectively becoming the youngest Bahamian ever to be named a Senator. In 1977, Mr. Christie regulated casinos in the Bahamas as chairman of the Gaming Board.
That same year, he was elected Member of Parliament for the Centreville constituency and was appointed Minister of Health and National Insurance. In 1982, he was again appointed to the Cabinet, this time as Minister of Tourism.
Following a stint as an independent candidate in 1990, Mr. Christie returned to the PLP and was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. He also held an additional portfolio of Minister of Finance.
Named Leader of the Opposition in 1997, Mr. Christie succeeded Lynden Pindling as the party leader. In 2002, he became the third Prime Minister of the Bahamas.