Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar, often referred to by her initials, KPB, is a prominent Trinidadian lawyer, politician, and educator who has twice served as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She holds that post today and is head of state of that nation.
Persad was born on April 22, 1952, in rural Siparia in southern Trinidad. Her early education took place at Mohess Road Hindu Primary, Erin Road Presbyterian, and Siparia Union Road Presbyterian Primary Schools, followed by Iere High School. She later left Trinidad at the age of seventeen to pursue education in England, attending Norwood Technical College in London. While in England, she was a social worker. She then moved to Jamaica, where she spent fourteen years, teaching at St. Andrew High School and studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, earning a Diploma in Education and a master’s in education. She lectured at UWI and was a consultant lecturer at the Jamaica College of Insurance. Opting for a career in law, Persad attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, where she received her Bachelor of Laws (Hons). She completed her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, graduating at the top of her class.
In her personal life, Kamla Persad-Bissessar is married to Dr. Gregory Bissessar. They married in London in 1971 when she was eighteen. They have one son.
Persad-Bissessar entered politics in Trinidad in 1987 as an alderwoman for the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) on the St. Patrick County Council. She was an Opposition Senator for the United National Congress (UNC) from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Siparia constituency, a position she has held since. Her ministerial career began when she was sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago’s first female Attorney General in November 1995. She also served as Minister of Legal Affairs (1996-1999) and Minister of Education (1999-2001). As Minister of Legal Affairs, she was instrumental in updating legislation, including increasing the number of judges and magistrates and establishing a family court. As Minister of Education, she introduced a school drug abuse awareness and prevention program.
In 2010, Persad-Bissessar made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, leading the People’s Partnership coalition to victory. During her first term (2010-2015), her government focused on a broad agenda of national transformation, addressing issues such as crime, economic diversification, and social welfare. She also served as the first female Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office.
After losing the 2015 general elections, she served as Leader of the Opposition until 2025. In the 2025 general elections, she led the United National Congress to victory, securing her second non-consecutive term as Prime Minister on May 1, 2025. In her current term, she has pledged to focus on economic revitalization, security reform, technological access, and revenue diversification. She emphasized national unity, promising to be a “PM for all” and to address the inequalities faced by rural and marginalized communities. Her administration aims to rebuild hope and dignity and to implement a strict code of conduct for incoming officials to combat corruption. She has highlighted the importance of long-term, generational thinking for the nation’s progress.
