Who Is Chris Patten? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 12, 1944, Chris Patten is a prominent British politician, best known for his role as the last Governor of Hong Kong and as a key figure in the Conservative Party. As of 2025, he will be 81 years old, marking a significant era of influence and experience in both British politics and global affairs. Throughout his career, Patten has been involved in various governmental and party roles, shaping policies and engaging in international diplomacy.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1944 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Cleveleys, Lancashire, England |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | England |
Popularity
Chris Patten's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In terms of physical attributes, Chris Patten stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (177 cm) tall. There isn't much publicly available information regarding his weight or specific body measurements, as he has mainly been in the public eye for his political prowess rather than physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Chris Patten is a family-oriented individual. He has been married to his wife, Lavender Patten, since 1970. The couple has three children together. While there is limited information about any dating life beyond his marriage, Patten has always kept his personal life relatively private and focused primarily on his family and career.
Patten grew up in an Irish Catholic family in west London, the son of an unsuccessful music publisher whose ancestors had come to England from County Roscommon, Ireland. Patten's father, Frank, dropped out of university to become a jazz-drummer, later, a popular-music publisher.
Frank and his mother Joan sent him to a Catholic primary school, Our Lady of the Visitation, in Greenford, and later awarded a scholarship to the independent St Benedict's School in Ealing, west London, where he won an exhibition to read Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Chris Patten's estimated net worth is around $5 million. His earnings have been primarily derived from his political career, advisory roles, and various public speaking engagements. As an experienced politician and diplomat, his insights are often sought after, adding to his financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Chris Patten has had a distinguished career in politics, starting with his election to the House of Commons in 1979. He served in various roles, including as the chairman of the Conservative Party and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Notably, Patten was appointed the last Governor of Hong Kong in 1992, overseeing the transition to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Post-politics, he served as the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and has been involved with several international organizations, enhancing his reputation as a respected diplomat. His business ventures are less publicized, but he has been an advocate for several charitable organizations and international causes.
In May 2016, Patten said that the BBC has "lost some of its ambition" in its coverage of science, philosophy and history, and should "stretch" audiences more.
Patten bemoaned the fact that much of the corporation's high-brow programming had been moved to BBC Four, the digital channel, and given low budgets that meant shows were "sometimes made with glue and string".
In a speech on the future of the BBC, which he said was "one of this country's greatest institutions", Patten called on ministers to respect the "besieged" broadcaster's independence, and set in place measures to stop it becoming "the plaything of the government of the day".
Social Network
Chris Patten is active on various social media platforms, where he shares his thoughts on current affairs, political issues, and cultural topics. You can find him on:
- Twitter: @ChrisPatten - He posts updates and engages with discussions related to politics, culture, and education.
- LinkedIn: Chris Patten - A professional profile reflecting his extensive career in politics and advisory roles.
Patten turned down offers of a new post and instead, in July 1992, he became the 28th and the last governor of Hong Kong until its transfer of sovereignty to China on 30 June 1997. He was given an official Chinese name, Pang Ting-hong, a name with an etymology based on the words "stability" and "calm; joyous; healthy".
Unlike most previous Hong Kong governors, he was not a career diplomat from the UK Foreign Office although he was not the first former MP to become a governor of Hong Kong.
Education
Chris Patten was educated at the prestigious Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied History. His academic background laid the groundwork for his later involvement in politics and public service, giving him a deep understanding of historical and contemporary issues that have informed his career.
Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes (born 12 May 1944), is a British politician who was the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992, and the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997. He was made a life peer in 2005 and served as Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 2003 to 2024.
He is one of two living former governors of Hong Kong, alongside David Wilson.
