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Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon is a Scottish politician who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023 and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) during the same period.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nicola Sturgeon is a Scottish politician who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023 and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) during the same period. She was the first woman to hold either role and was Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister.

Early life and education

Sturgeon was born in Irvine and studied law at the University of Glasgow. Before entering national politics, she worked as a solicitor and later became involved in the Scottish Parliament.

Political career

She entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and held senior roles including deputy leader of the SNP and deputy first minister. In November 2014, she became SNP leader and First Minister after Alex Salmond stepped down.

First Minister of Scotland

Sturgeon led the Scottish Government from 2014 until 2023. Her tenure included the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, and a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.

Resignation and later life

Sturgeon resigned in February 2023, saying she could no longer bring the necessary energy to the job. She later released a memoir titled Frankly.

Key facts

  • Born in Irvine, Scotland, in 1970.
  • Joined the Scottish National Party at age 16.
  • Elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
  • Served as SNP leader and First Minister from 2014 to 2023.
  • Was the first woman to lead Scotland’s government.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nicola Sturgeon?
Nicola Sturgeon is a Scottish politician who led the Scottish National Party and served as First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023.
When was Nicola Sturgeon born?
She was born on 19 July 1970 in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland.
Was Nicola Sturgeon the first woman First Minister of Scotland?
Yes. She was the first woman to serve as First Minister of Scotland.
When did Nicola Sturgeon resign?
She resigned in February 2023 and was succeeded by Humza Yousaf.
What party does Nicola Sturgeon belong to?
She is a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicola-Sturgeon
    Supports: Birth date and place; political offices; first woman to lead Scotland; resignation and succession.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Sturgeon
    Supports: Timeline of offices, resignation date, and leadership roles.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64648986
    Supports: Announcement of resignation; background and biographical details.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/who-is-nicola-sturgeon-scotland.html
    Supports: Career background, SNP leadership, and First Minister role.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-32960011
    Supports: Born in Irvine, joined SNP aged 16, university degree, and political milestones.