Who Is Michael Ignatieff? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 12, 1947, Michael Ignatieff is a prominent Canadian figure known for his multifaceted career as an author, academic, and politician. By 2025, Ignatieff celebrates his 78th birthday, and his rich tapestry of experiences offers a wealth of insights into Canadian history, politics, and literature. With a career that spans decades, he served as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and represented the riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in the House of Commons. His academic pursuits have taken him to esteemed institutions, including Harvard University, where he has shared his insights on international relations and political theory.
| Occupation | Philosophers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1947 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
Michael Ignatieff's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Michael Ignatieff's physical attributes contribute to his distinguished presence. He stands at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall and maintains an average weight consistent with his build throughout the years. While specific body measurements are not publicly available, his poised demeanor reflects a commitment to personal well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As an influential public figure, Michael Ignatieff has maintained a relatively private personal life, particularly regarding relationships. He has been married to Zina Saro-Wiwa, a prominent Nigerian environmental activist and writer. The couple has been together for several decades and shares a deep bond rooted in mutual respect and shared values. There are no public records indicating any changes to this status in 2025.
Ignatieff's paternal grandfather was Count Paul Ignatieff, the Russian minister of education during the First World War and son of Count Nikolay Pavlovich Ignatyev, an important Russian statesman and diplomat.
His mother's grandfathers were George Monro Grant and Sir George Robert Parkin, and her younger brother was the Canadian Conservative political philosopher George Grant (1918–1988), author of Lament for a Nation. His great-aunt Alice Parkin Massey was the wife of Canada's first native-born Governor General, Vincent Massey.
His first cousin Caroline Andrew was a political scientist. He is also a descendant of William Lawson, the first president of the Bank of Nova Scotia.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, Michael Ignatieff's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $5 million to $10 million. His income is derived from a combination of his successful writing career, academic positions, and former political roles. These opportunities have not only established his financial stability but have also allowed him to influence discussions on global affairs and Canadian politics extensively.
In the 2006 Liberal leadership race, Ignatieff advocated for measures to address climate change, including a carbon tax. During the 2008 federal election Dion's key policy plank was his Green Shift plan, a revenue neutral carbon tax which would put a price on greenhouse gas emissions while reducing income taxes.
The Green Shift had been heavily criticized by the Conservatives and was believed to have been a significant factor in the party's poor showing in the election. Following the election Ignatieff announced he would not campaign on Dion's Green Shift.
In a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce in February 2009, he said; "You can't win elections if you're adding to the input costs of a farmer putting diesel into his tractor, or you're adding to the input costs of a fisherman putting diesel into his fishing boat, or a trucker transporting goods".
He went onto say that; "You've got to work with the grain of Canadians and not against them. I think we learned a lesson in the last election." In November 2009, he announced that a Liberal government would implement an industrial cap-and-trade system to combat climate change.
Career, Business, and Investments
Michael Ignatieff's career trajectory is notably diverse. His early work as a journalist and author paved the way for his acclaimed publications, which explore themes such as identity, morality, and the human experience. Throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, Ignatieff has held academic positions, including the prestigious role of Rector at the Central European University.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Ignatieff has engaged with various international organizations and think tanks, focusing on social justice and democratic governance. His investments are primarily in educational and cultural initiatives, reflecting his commitment to promoting global citizenship and fostering dialogue across different communities.
Michael Grant Ignatieff (born May 12, 1947) is a Canadian author, academic and former politician who served as leader of the Liberal Party and leader of the Opposition from 2008 until 2011. Known for his work as a historian, Ignatieff has held senior academic posts at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, and Toronto.
Most recently, he was rector and president of Central European University; he held this position from 2016 to 2021.
Social Network
Michael Ignatieff is active across several social media platforms, engaging with his audience on topics ranging from politics and literature to social justice. His Twitter and LinkedIn profiles serve as platforms for sharing insights, discussing contemporary issues, and connecting with students and professionals alike. He continues to contribute to discussions on important societal matters well into 2025, influencing a new generation of thinkers and leaders.
His documentary series Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism aired on BBC in 1993, winning a Canadian Gemini Award. He later adapted this series into a book, Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism, detailing the dangers of ethnic nationalism in the post-Cold War period.
This book won the Gordon Montador Award for Best Canadian Book on Social Issues and the University of Toronto's Lionel Gelber Prize. Ignatieff also wrote the novel, Scar Tissue, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1994.
Education
Michael Ignatieff's educational background is extensive. He obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto before advancing to the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a master's degree. Later, he was awarded a Ph.D. from Harvard University. His educational journey has greatly informed his work as both an academic and a public servant, allowing him to analyze and contribute to various discourses surrounding ethics, politics, and international relations.
While living in the United Kingdom from 1978 to 2000, Ignatieff became well known as a television and radio broadcaster and as an editorial columnist for The Observer. His documentary series Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism aired on BBC in 1993, and won a Canadian Gemini Award.
His book of the same name, based on the series, won the Gordon Montador Award for Best Canadian Book on Social Issues and the University of Toronto's Lionel Gelber Prize. His memoir, The Russian Album, won Canada's Governor General's Literary Award and the British Royal Society of Literature's Heinemann Prize in 1988.
His novel, Scar Tissue, was short-listed for the Booker Prize in 1994. In 2000, he delivered the Massey Lectures, entitled The Rights Revolution, which was released in print later that year.
