Annulment is a legal procedure for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost as if it had never taken place (though some jurisdictions provide that the marriage is only void from the date of the annulment). In strict legal terminology, annulment refers only to making a ''voidable'' marriage null; if the marriage is void ''ab initio'', then it is automatically null, although a legal declaration of nullity is required to establish this. The process of obtaining such a declaration is similar to the annulment process. Despite its retroactive nature, children born before the annulment are considered legitimate in the United States and many other countries. In all countries that permit civil divorce a person can get divorced under state law, however that divorce is not accepted by the Roman Catholic Church and if a person gets re-married, they are deemed to be in a perpetual state of sin. This means that a person in this state is barred from receiving Holy Communion. Since communion is a vital center to the Mass, they in essence does not participate fully in Mass. They can attend Mass, but not participate fully in Mass. They can participate and be part of the community aside from the communion component.

Annulment in the Catholic Church

The followers of the Catholic Church consider a marriage a valid contract entered into between a man and a woman and God. The priest oversees the wedding but the marriage is performed by the man and woman to God. In simplest terms, it is necessary that it be marriage that is contracted, that it actually be contracted (i.e., a valid ceremony/contract be performed), and that both parties enter willingly into the contract. If any of these conditions lack, then the marriage is not contracted, Divine sanction is not obtained, and there is in actual (and religious) fact no marriage. An annulment is a finding later that there was no actual marriage contracted in God's eyes, and therefore no marriage in reality, regardless of civil ordinance or appearance to humans.

Therefore, an annulment of a marriage is much more analogous to a finding that a contract of sale was invalid, and hence, that the property for sale must be considered to have never legally transferred possession, than analogous to a divorce, which is more like returning the property after a consummated sale. These four preconditions give rise to the common fourfold classifications for bases of annulment, defect of form, defect of contract, or unwilling or unable parties.

The contract is defective in form if the marriage ceremony is invalid, such as the case of two Catholic persons being married outside of the Catholic Church.

The contract is defective of contract if it was not a marriage that was contracted, such as if there was a defect of intent on either side. This can occur if either party lacked the intent to enter into a lifelong, exclusive union, open to reproduction.

If either party was coerced, they lacked willingness, and therefore lacked intent.

If either party was married to another, they were unable to enter into the contract. Also, certain relationships of blood render the parties unable to enter into contract. Also, parties of the same gender are unable to enter into contract.

A "Declaration of Nullity" is not a dissolution of a marriage, but rather a determination of whether a marriage was a sacrament (valid) or contrary in some way to Divine Law as understood by the Catholic Church or contrary to the prescriptions of canon law regulating marriage. While some may try to use an annulment to get around the "no divorce" rule (see Christian views on divorce), that is not the reason the Church gives for the availability of annulment. According to the Church, an annulment affirms the Scriptural basis of divorce and at the same time affirms that in a true marriage, a man and a woman become ''one flesh'' before the eyes of God. The Church's teaching on marriage is that it is a Sacrament and that it is only validly contracted by the two individuals, so questions may arise as to whether that person is able to contract a valid marriage. In the Western tradition, the ministers of the marriage are the two individuals themselves, and the priest is a witness for the Church.

Marriages are declared null ''ab initio'', meaning that the marriage has been essentially invalid from the beginning. This stipulation can cause concern that offspring from the marriage will be considered as illegitimate in the event of an annulment. Canon 1137 of the Code of Canon Law specifically affirms the legitimacy of children born in both recognized and putative marriages (those later declared null). Critics point to this as additional evidence that a Catholic annulment is similar to divorce — although civil laws that recognized both annulments and divorce regard the offspring of a putative marriage as legitimate.

An annulment verified by the Catholic Church is independent from obtaining a civil divorce, although before beginning a process in front of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal, it has to be clear that the marriage community cannot be rebuilt. Another exception occurs in some states, which recognise to the Catholic Church the right to perform marriages that are automatically transcribed to the civil records: in those countries, the annulment may be granted the exequatur and hence induce a civil divorce. This is for instance the case in Italy.

If someone has all the signs of being married previously, he or she must get an annulment before entering into a marriage in the Catholic Church, even if the individual was not married in the Catholic Church previously. Catholics acknowledge the indissolubility of marriage for any persons who give themselves freely in the bond of marriage and recognize the marriages of other Christians in most cases.

Privilege of the Faith cases (Petrine and Pauline) are exceptions. ''Pauline privilege'': In a case where two non-baptized are married, and one of them becomes a Christian afterwards, and the other will not get baptized and refuses to live in peace with the newly Christian partner, the marriage may be dissolved and the Christian partner is free to remarry in Church. This is not an annulment as the former marriage is not presumed to have been invalid.

A common misconception is that if a marriage is annulled, the Catholic Church is saying the marriage never took place. The parties to the marriage know that the marriage took place. The Church is saying that the marriage was not valid; the valid marriage is what did not take place.

Reasons for annulment

A reason for annulment is called a diriment impediment to the marriage. Prohibitory impediments (which no longer exist in the Latin Code, CIC83) make entering a marriage wrong but do not invalidate the marriage, such as being betrothed to another person at the time of the wedding; diriment impediments, such as being brother and sister, or being married to another person at the time of the wedding, prevent such a marriage from being contracted at all. Such unions are called putative marriages.

Diriment impediments include:

Consanguinity

Insanity precluding ability to consent

Not intending, when marrying, to remain faithful to the spouse (simulation of consent)

One partner had been deceived by the other in order to obtain consent, and if the partner had been aware of the truth, would not have consented to marry

Abduction of a person, with the intent to compel them to marry (known as ''raptus''), constitutes an impediment as long as they remain in the kidnapper's power.

Failure to adhere to requirements of canon law for marriages, such as clandestinity

The couple killed the spouse of one of them in order to be free to marry.

The couple committed adultery.

The couple were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the marriage.

Some impediments can be ''dispensed'', in which the Church exempts a couple, prior to the marriage, to the obligation to conform to the canon law. While some relationships cannot have the impediment of consanguity dispensed, a marriage can be sanctioned between cousins. This renders the marriage valid, and so non-annulable. Again, if an invalid marriage has been contracted, and the diriment impediment can be removed, a ''convalidation'' or ''sanatio in radice'' can be performed to make the marriage valid.

Annulment in New York State

The cause of action for annulment in New York State is generally fraud (DRL §140 (e)). There are other arguments; see the Statute.

Fraud generally means the intentional deception of the Plaintiff by the Defendant in order to induce the Plaintiff to marry. The misrepresentation must be substantial in nature, and the Plaintiff's consent to the marriage predicated on the Defendant’s statement. The perpetration of the fraud (prior to the marriage), and the discovery of the fraud (subsequent to the marriage) must be proven by corroboration of a witness or other external proof, even if the Defendant admits guilt (DRL §144). The time limit is three years (not one year). This does not run from the date of the marriage, but the date the fraud was discovered, or could reasonably have been discovered.

A bigamous marriage (one party was still married at the time of the second marriage) cannot be annulled —it is ''void ab initio'' (not legal from its inception). However, either party (as well as certain other parties) can petition the Court with an "Action to Declare the Nullity of a Void Marriage" (DRL §140 (a)). The Court, upon proper pleadings, renders a judgment that the marriage is void. There may be effects of marriage such as a property settlement and even maintenance if the court finds it equitable to order such relief.

Multiple annulments

Henry VIII of England had three of his six marriages annulled. These marriages were to Catherine of Aragon (on the grounds that she had already been married to his brother); Anne Boleyn (on the grounds that she had allegedly seduced him with witchcraft and was unfaithful—not wishing to execute his legal wife, he offered her an easy death if she would agree to an annulment); and Anne of Cleves (on the grounds of non-consummation of the marriage and the fact that she had previously been engaged to someone else). Catherine Howard never had her marriage annulled. She had committed adultery with Thomas Culpeper during the marriage, and she had flirted with members of his court. Because of this, on November 22, 1541, it was proclaimed at Hampton Court that she had "forfeited the honour and title of Queen," and was from then on to be known only as the Lady Catherine Howard. Under this title she was executed for high treason three months later.

The San Francisco 2004 same-sex weddings, originally authorized by mayor Gavin Newsom, were annulled in August 2004 due to a court ruling.

See also

Alimony

Catholic marriage theology

Divorce

Nullity (conflict) for a discussion of the rules relating to the annulment of marriage (conflict) in the Conflict of Laws

Separation

Notes

External links

''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Canonical Impediments"

''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Validation of Marriage"

New York State Domestic Relations Law, Article 9

Category:Marriage Category:Catholic marriage Category:Family law

ceb:Pag-anular sa kaminyoon de:Aufhebung (Ehe) es:Nulidad matrimonial fr:Annulation de mariage it:Matrimonio (ordinamento civile italiano) nl:Nietigverklaring van een kerkelijk huwelijk ja:婚姻の無効 sv:Upplösning av äktenskap

Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Kenneth Arnold Chesney
Birth date	March 26, 1968
Origin	Luttrell, Tennessee, U.S.
Instrument	vocals, guitar, bass
Height	5'7.5" (1.71 m)
Genre	Country
Occupation	singer-songwriter
Years active	1993–present
Label	Capricorn, BNA
Associated acts	Buddy Cannon, George Strait, Dave Matthews, Uncle Kracker, Gretchen Wilson
Website	Official website }}

Kenneth Arnold "Kenny" Chesney (born March 26, 1968) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts, 20 of which climbed to the top of the charts.

Over the life of his career, Chesney has been honored with numerous awards from the Academy of Country Music (ACM), Country Music Association (CMA), American Music Awards (AMA), Country Music Television (CMT), Billboard Music Awards (BMA), People's Choice Awards (PCA), and the French Country Music Awards (FCMA).

Chesney recently produced and co-directed a film for ESPN, "The Boys Of Fall". Chesney has received six Academy of Country Music awards (including four consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards from 2005 to 2008), as well as six Country Music Association awards. He is one of the most popular touring acts in country music, regularly selling out the venues at which he performs. His 2007 ''Flip-Flop Summer Tour'' was the highest-grossing country road trip of the year.

The Country Music Association honored Chesney with the Entertainer of the Year award in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Other notable awards include the Academy of Country Music's 1997 New Male Vocalist of the Year, 2002 Top Male Vocalist of the Year, and the Triple Crown Award in 2005. He was awarded his fourth consecutive Entertainer of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music on May 18, 2008.

Early life

Chesney was born on March 26, 1968, in Knoxville, Tennessee at St. Mary's Medical Center and raised in Luttrell, Tennessee, better known as the home of Chet Atkins. He is the son of David Chesney, a former elementary school teacher, and Karen Chandler, a hair stylist in the Knoxville area. Chesney has one sibling, a younger sister named Jennifer Chandler. In 1986 Chesney graduated from Gibbs High School where he played baseball and football. Chesney received his first guitar for Christmas and began teaching himself to play. Chesney studied advertising at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City TN, where he was a member of the ETSU Bluegrass Program and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1989 Chesney recorded a self-released demo album at Classic Recording Studio in Bristol, Virginia. He sold 1,000 copies while performing at the local clubs in Johnson City and used the money from album sales to help buy a new guitar. Chesney graduated from East Tennessee State in December 1990 with a degree in advertising. After graduation he headed to Nashville and performed at several local clubs. He became the resident performer at The Turf, a honky tonk bar in the city's historic district.

Career and awards

''Signing first publishing and record deals''

In 1992, the head of publisher/writer relations at BMI, Clay Bradley, recommended Chesney to his friend at Opryland Music Group, Troy Tomlinson, by saying: "I met this kid today from East Tennessee. He’s a good singer, a good songwriter, and more than anything, I think you’re going to really like him as a person.” For the audition for Tomlinson, Chesney performed five songs. Tomlinson's reaction was enthusiastic, later telling HitQuarters:

"First of all I was attracted to the songs, because I thought that he painted great pictures in his lyrics, particularly for someone who had not been around the typical Music Row co-writes. I thought that he sang very well too. But more than anything there was a kind of this ‘I-will-do-it’ look in his eyes - I was really drawn in by the fact that he was so set on being successful in this business."

Chesney left the audition with a songwriter’s contract. An appearance at a songwriter’s showcase the following year led to a contract with Capricorn Records which had recently started a country division. He released his debut album ''In My Wildest Dreams'' in April 1994. When Capricorn closed its country music division in Nashville and moved to Atlanta, Georgia Chesney signed with BNA Records.

''In My Wildest Dreams (1994)''

Chesney's first album, ''In My Wildest Dreams'', was released on the independent Capricorn Records label in 1994. The album's lead-off singles, "The Tin Man" and "Whatever It Takes", both reached the lower regions of the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. The album sold approximately 10,000 copies before Capricorn Records closed its country music division later that year.

''All I Need to Know (1995)''

After Capricorn's closure, Chesney signed with BNA Records, which released his album ''All I Need to Know'' in 1995. The album produced three hit singles. "Fall in Love" and "All I Need to Know" both reached the Top Ten, while "Grandpa Told Me So" peaked at #23. "The Tin Man" was also included on this album, although it was not released as a single at the time.

''Me and You (1996-1997)''

Released in 1996, Chesney's second major-label album was ''Me and You''. Although its lead-off single peaked just outside the Top 40 on the country charts, the album's title track (which was reprised from ''All I Need to Know'') and the single "When I Close My Eyes" (which was previously recorded by Larry Stewart on his 1993 debut album ''Down the Road'') both peaked at #2 on the ''Billboard'' country charts. ''Me and You'' was also Chesney's first gold-certified album. A cover of Mac McAnally's 1990 single "Back Where I Come From" was also included on this album. Although Chesney's version was never released as a single, it has become a regular song played during his concerts. In recognition of his successful year, Chesney was honored with the 1997 Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of the Year award.

''I Will Stand (1997-1998)''

''I Will Stand'', Chesney's third album for BNA, was released in 1997. "She's Got It All" was the album's lead-off single, becoming Chesney's first #1 single, spending three weeks at the top of the ''Billboard'' country charts. The album's second single, "A Chance", peaked just shy of the Top Ten. In 1998, "That's Why I'm Here" went to #2 on ''Billboard'' and reached the top of the charts on ''Radio & Records'', giving Chesney his third #1 single overall.

''Everywhere We Go (1999)''

''Everywhere We Go'', released in 1999, was Chesney's fourth album for BNA. The album produced two consecutive #1 singles in "How Forever Feels" and "You Had Me from Hello" (the latter inspired by a line in the movie ''Jerry Maguire''). The album also produced two more hits, including "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" and "What I Need to Do", which peaked at #11 and #8 on the country charts, respectively. ''Everywhere We Go'' was Chesney's first platinum-selling album.

''Greatest Hits (2000)''

By 2000, Chesney released his ''Greatest Hits'' compilation album. It included four new tracks, as well as updated versions of "Fall in Love", "The Tin Man", and "Back Where I Come From". The new version of "The Tin Man" was one of the disc's three singles, along with two of the new tracks, "I Lost It" and "Don't Happen Twice".

''No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002-2003)''

The album ''No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems'' was released in 2002. The lead-off single, "Young", peaked at #2, while the follow-up "The Good Stuff" spent seven weeks at #1, becoming ''Billboard's'' #1 country song of the year for 2002. The video for "Young" was honored by CMT with the Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year awards for 2002. In 2003, ACM honored Chesney as Top Male Vocalist of the Year, while "The Good Stuff" received the award for Single Record of the Year. The following year, CMT recognized the video produced for "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" as the Hottest Video of the Year.

''All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan (2003)''

In 2003, Chesney recorded ''All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan''. The album's title track peaked at #30 on the country charts from holiday airplay.

''When the Sun Goes Down (2004-2005)''

2004 saw the release of Chesney's album ''When the Sun Goes Down''. Its lead-off single, "There Goes My Life", spent seven weeks at the top of the ''Billboard'' country charts. On April 21, 2004, the accompanying video was honored by CMT with the Male Video of the Year award. The album's title track, "When the Sun Goes Down", a duet with Uncle Kracker, was also a #1 single. The video from the third single from the album, "I Go Back", was honored on April 11, 2005, with the Male Video of the Year by Country Music Television.

''When the Sun Goes Down'' was honored with the 2004 CMA award for Album of the Year, while Chesney was honored as the Entertainer of the Year. He was also presented with the American Music Award's 2004 Artist of the Year award.

''Be as You Are'' and ''The Road and the Radio (2005-2006)''

In January 2005, Chesney released the album ''Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)'', supporting the album with his ''Somewhere in the Sun Tour''.

In the spring of 2005, Chesney was honored with the prestigious Triple-Crown Award presented by the Academy of Country Music. This award was presented after Chesney's 2004 Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year award was combined with 1997's New Male Vocalist of the Year award and 2003's Top Male Vocalist of the Year award. The following year, on May 23, 2006, Chesney was honored with his second Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Chesney released his second album of the year in November, ''The Road and the Radio'', producing three #1 singles. "Living in Fast Forward", "Summertime", and "Beer in Mexico" all hit #1, while "Who You'd Be Today" and "You Save Me" broke the Top Five.

''Live: Live Those Songs Again (2006)''

''Live: Live Those Songs Again'' is Chesney's first live album. Released on September 19, 2006 on BNA Records, the album includes live renditions of 15 songs, including 11 singles. "Live Those Songs", "Never Gonna Feel Like That Again", "On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful", and "Back Where I Come From" were never released by Chesney as singles, while "Back Where I Come From" had been released as a single from Mac McAnally's 1990 album ''Simple Life''.

Collaborations

Chesney, along with Tim McGraw, contributed to a version of Tracy Lawrence's single "Find Out Who Your Friends Are", which can be found on Lawrence's album ''For the Love''. The official single version, featuring only Lawrence's vocals, was released in August 2006, but did not reach the Top 40 on the country charts until January 2007, when ''For the Love'' was released. After the album's release, the version with McGraw and Chesney began receiving significant airplay, helping to boost the single to #1 on the country charts. The song became Lawrence's first #1 single in 11 years, as well as the second-slowest climbing #1 single in the history of the ''Billboard'' music charts.

Chesney also co-wrote Rascal Flatts' 2007 single along with Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley, "Take Me There", which served as the lead-off single to their album ''Still Feels Good''.

Chesney also recorded a duet with Reba McEntire on her #1 2007 album, ''Reba: Duets''. "Every Other Weekend" peaked at #15 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart and #104 on the ''Billboard'' Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. The album has sold 2.1 million copies world-wide and is certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 1 million. "Every Other Weekend" was the final single from the album.

''Super Hits (2007)''

On November 7, 2007 Chesney was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year for the third time in four years. The following week, on November 15, 2007, the compilation ''Super Hits'' album was released as part of Sony BMG's ''Super Hits'' series.

''Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates (2007-2008)''

On September 11, 2007, Chesney released the album ''Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates''. The album represented a move to a more gulf and western sound with a number of "breezy, steel-drum island songs." Kanye West's album ''Graduation'', as well as 50 Cent's album ''Curtis'', were released on the same day. Kanye West and 50 Cent were in the midst of a competitive sales war, with 50 Cent claiming he would end his solo rap career if West sold more albums than he did (remarks he later retracted as terms with of contract conflicted with the promise). Kenny Chesney, however, decided he would give country music a place in the competition, claiming country artists were just as popular as rap artists. Chesney came in third place in the number of record sales between the three musical artists.

The album's lead-off single, "Never Wanted Nothing More", became Chesney's 12th song to hit the top of the ''Billboard'' country charts. On the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart dated for the week ending September 15, 2007, Chesney's single "Don't Blink" debuted at #16, setting a new record for the highest debut on that chart since the inception of SoundScan electronic tabulation in 1990. This record was broken one week later by Garth Brooks' song "More Than a Memory", which debuted at #1 on the same chart, making it the first song ever to do so. The third single off of ''Just Who I Am'' album, "Shiftwork", a duet with George Strait peaked at #2 on the ''Billboard'' country chart. During the week of June 28, 2008, the fourth single, "Better as a Memory", became Chesney's 14th single to hit the top of the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart. Chesney started his ''Poets and Pirates Tour'' on April 26, 2008 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. During the introduction of his set, his boot was caught between a hydraulic lift and the lip of the stage surface, crushing his foot and causing a severe hematoma from the ankle down, with most of the damage centering in his toes. It took approximately 30 seconds to pry his foot loose as he squatted down on the stage while the band continued to play an extended introduction of the song. When Chesney finally freed himself, he stood up and kept holding his hand on his knee as he began to sing.

Chesney did not acknowledge the injury during the early part of his performance. However, he was visibly limping and seemed to rest near a drum riser while leaning over and holding his knee during the instrumental breaks of his hit songs. As he came offstage, a doctor from the University of South Carolina cut off Chesney’s cowboy boot and immediately began treating the foot injury. X-rays taken later revealed several crushed bones in his right foot.

The injury did not cause him to postpone any shows, saying "He (the doctor) told me it's going to hurt – though nothing could hurt worse than Saturday, I don't think – and they can give me something to deaden the pain when I get out there. I also have to have a doctor standing by should something give, but I'm going to tape it up, and I'm going to get out there."

On May 19, 2008, just a day after being honored as the ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Chesney criticized the lack of choice in the producers' awarding the honor based on fan votes. "The entertainer of the year trophy is supposed to represent heart and passion and an amazing amount of sacrifice, commitment and focus," he said. "That's the way Garth won it four times, that's the way I won it, that's the way Strait won it, Reba, Alabama all those years. That's what it's supposed to represent."

''Lucky Old Sun (2008-2009)''

On July 24, 2008, Chesney announced that he would be releasing a new single off an upcoming album entitled ''Lucky Old Sun''. The song was titled "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven", and for the chart week of August 16, 2008, it debuted at #22 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart. The album was released on October 14, 2008. "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" became a #1 hit. It was followed by a cover of Mac McAnally's 1990 single "Down the Road".

Chesney's 2009 tour was titled the ''Sun City Carnival Tour'' and featured both small and large venues in order to keep his ticket prices down. The tour included a performance at Gillette Stadium again, marking the fifth year in a row that he played at the Foxboro, Massachusetts football field.

''Greatest Hits II (2010)''

On May 19, 2010, ''Greatest Hits II'' was released with two new tracks. In February, "Ain't Back Yet" was sent to country music radio stations. The #1 hit "Out Last Night" was the lead single.

''Hemingway's Whiskey (2010-present)''

In July 2010, Chesney released "The Boys of Fall" as the lead-off single from his album ''Hemingway's Whiskey'', which was released in September 2010. The song hit #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of October 9, 2010, marking Chesney's eighteenth number one hit.

He then appeared at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010.

The second single from ''Hemingway's Whiskey'', "Somewhere with You", was released in November 2010. The song debuted at #35 on the country chart for the week of November 6, 2010. It then hit #1 in January 2011.

Chesney produced and narrated a biographical film, ''The Color Orange'', on his favorite football player growing up, University of Tennessee quarterback and Canadian Football League hall-of-famer Condredge Holloway. The film was produced for ESPN's "Year of the Quarterback" series, and premiered on February 20, 2011.

Personal life

Chesney owns a 60' Sea Ray yacht and also has a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He spends time in the Caribbean and includes island-themed songs in some of his work, such as those on his 2005 album ''Be As You Are''.

On May 9, 2005, Kenny Chesney married actress Renee Zellweger in a ceremony on the island of St. John. They had met in January at a tsunami relief benefit concert. On September 15 of that same year, after only four months of marriage, they announced their plans for an annulment. Zellweger cited fraud as the reason in the related papers, but after media scrutiny of her use of the word "fraud", she qualified the use of the term, stating it was "simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny's character". Chesney later suggested the failure of his marriage was due to "panic" from the intense media scrutiny surrounding it. In an interview by 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper, Chesney commented on the failed marriage. "The only fraud that was committed was me thinking that I knew what it was like…that I really understood what it was like to be married, and I really didn't." The annulment was finalized in late December 2005. Kenny Chesney's family still resides in east Tennessee.

Philanthropy

Chesney's most recent charity work includes working with the V Foundation. Founded by the late Jim Valvano, the V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer. Valvano, former coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack Basketball team, died on April 28, 1993 following a year-long battle with cancer.

In 1998, Chesney recorded a limited-edition single titled "Touchdown Tennessee". The single was a tribute to John Ward, a former broadcaster for the University of Tennessee Volunteers' football team; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the John Ward Scholarship Fund received a portion of the single's sales.

Tours

Chesney has won the Billboard Touring Award for Top Package Tour four consecutive years between 2005 and 2008.

Greatest Hits Tour 2001

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems Tour 2002

Margaritas N' Senorita's Tour 2003

Guitars, Tiki Bars & A Whole Lotta Love Tour 2004(w/Rascal Flatts)

Somewhere In The Sun Tour 2005 (w/Gretchen Wilson, Uncle Kracker, Pat Green)

The Road & The Radio Tour 2006 (w/ Dierks Bentley & others)

Flip-Flop Summer Tour 2007 (w/ Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Sara Evans & Pat Green)

The Poets & Pirates Tour 2008 (w/ Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan & Sammy Hagar)

Sun City Carnival Tour 2009 (w/ Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum & Montgomery Gentry)

2010 With A Two Tour 2010 (Festivels)

Goin' Coastal Tour 2011 (w/ Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker & Billy Currington)

Discography

;Studio Albums

1994: ''In My Wildest Dreams''

1995: ''All I Need to Know''

1996: ''Me and You''

1997: ''I Will Stand''

1999: ''Everywhere We Go''

2002: ''No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems''

2003: ''All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan''

2004: ''When the Sun Goes Down''

2005: ''Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)''

2005: ''The Road and the Radio''

2007: ''Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates''

2008: ''Lucky Old Sun''

2010: ''Hemingway's Whiskey''

;Compilation albums

2000: ''Greatest Hits

2006: ''Live: Live Those Songs Again

2008: ''Super Hits''

2009: ''Greatest Hits II

Awards

1997 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year

2002 CMT Male Video of the Year: Young

2002 CMT Video of the Year: Young

2003 ACM Single Record of the Year: The Good Stuff

2003 ACM Top Male Vocalist of the Year

2004 AMA Artist of the Year

2004 CMA Entertainer of the Year

2004 CMA Album of the Year: When The Sun Goes Down

2004 CMT Hottest Video of the Year: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

2004 CMT Male Video of the Year: There Goes My Life

2005 ACM Entertainer of the Year

2005 ACM Triple Crown Winner

2005 CMT Male Video of the Year: I Go Back

2006 CMA Entertainer of the Year

2006 ACM Entertainer of the Year

2006 CMT Male Video of the Year: Who You Be Today

2006 BMA Best Male Country Artist

2006 BMA Best Country Artist

2007 CMT Male Video of the Year: You Save Me

2007 PCA Favorite Male Singer

2007 ACM Entertainer of the Year

2007 CMA Musical Event of the Year: Find Out Who Your Friends Are

2007 CMA Entertainer of the Year

2008 ACM Entertainer of the Year

2008 ACM Vocal Event of the Year: Find Out Who Your Friends Are

2008 FACM Best Duo of the Year: Every Other Weekend

2008 CMA Entertainer of the Year

See also

List of best-selling music artists

References

External links

Official Website

Official Film Website for Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D

Kenny Chesney : News : 2010 With A Two Tour 2010 Tickets

Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:American country singers Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American male singers Category:BNA Records artists Category:Musicians from Tennessee Category:East Tennessee State University alumni Category:People from Knoxville, Tennessee Category:LGBT Musicians from the United States

pdc:Kenny Chesney de:Kenny Chesney es:Kenny Chesney fr:Kenny Chesney it:Kenny Chesney nl:Kenny Chesney no:Kenny Chesney pt:Kenny Chesney ru:Чесни, Кенни simple:Kenny Chesney fi:Kenny Chesney sv:Kenny Chesney

Kris Nathan Humphries (born February 6, 1985) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2011.

Early life

Humphries was born in Minneapolis to Debra Humphries and William Humphries, a former football player for the University of Minnesota. He is of mixed-race; his father is African-American and his mother is Caucasian. Humphries also has two older sisters, Krystal and Kaela. His first success in sports came in competitive swimming, where he was the top 10 year old in the nation in 6 events, second only to a young Michael Phelps in the remaining events. Kris Humphries still holds the USS national record for the 50M freestyle for 10 and under boys. At age 12 he gave up swimming to pursue a promising career in basketball.

Humphries attended Hopkins High School, where he enjoyed an impressive basketball career. In 2002 he led them to a 25–2 record and its first Minnesota state championship in 49 years. He was subsequently named a 2003 McDonald's All-American and named Second Team All-USA by USA Today. He was also named to the Super 25 Basketball Team by USA Today, named Minnesota Mr. Basketball, and state player of the year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and College Basketball News. He was one of 10 finalists for the 2003 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, averaging a double double in his final three seasons, averaging 25.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game as a senior.

Coming out of high school, Humphries had accepted a scholarship offer to Duke University, but later reconsidered and attended the University of Minnesota instead. At Minnesota, Humphries was named 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the media and coaches. He was named Honorable Mention All-America by the Associated Press and by Rivals.com. He was the first freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding in the same season. He scored in double figures in all 29 games, with 16 point/rebound double-doubles on the season for Minnesota. He averaged 21.7 points and 10.1 rebounds (both tops in the Big Ten), while shooting .444 percent from the field and .742 from the line. On February 18, 2004 he set a school record with 36 points at Indiana. He also set a school record for most points by a freshman for a season with 629. He became the first Big Ten freshman to be named conference Player of the Week in two of the first three weeks of the season.

Although Humphries was personally successful at Minnesota, the team struggled. The Gophers finished 12–18, with a 3–13 record in the Big Ten during Humphries' lone season. That tied Penn State for the worst record in the conference. Critics accused Humphries of playing selfishly, preferring to inflate his statistics and NBA draft stock rather than help the team win games. The team had a .500 record before his arrival and finished with a 10–6 conference record in the season after he left.

NBA career

Humphries was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2004 as the 14th pick. He spent two seasons with the Jazz, averaging 3.6 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 11.6 minutes per game.

On June 8, 2006, Humphries was traded along with Robert Whaley to the Raptors in exchange for Rafael Araújo. In the 2006–07 season, after a slow start in which he did not receive many minutes from Raptors coach Sam Mitchell, Humphries proved to be a valuable rebounder and energy player and contributed to the Raptors capturing their first ever division title. On March 28, 2007, he grabbed seven offensive rebounds in 27 minutes against the Miami Heat, both a game-high and a career-high. He followed up this performance with nine offensive and 18 total rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons on April 13, 2007, again both game and career-highs. Humphries concluded his inaugural season with the Raptors with a career-high 3.1 rpg and .470 field goal percentage, as well as 3.8 ppg.

On July 9, 2009, Humphries, Shawn Marion and Nathan Jawai were traded to the Dallas Mavericks as a part of the four-team deal among Raptors, Mavericks, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.

On January 11, 2010 the Mavericks traded Humphries along with G/F Shawne Williams to the New Jersey Nets in order to re-acquire Eduardo Nájera. On January 27, 2010, Humphries went off to score a career high 25 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. He previously recorded career highs of 15 and 21 points respectively as a New Jersey Net.

The 2011 season was a breakout season for Humphries as he averaged a double-double in points and rebounds.

Personal life

Humphries married reality TV personality Kim Kardashian on August 20, 2011. The engagement ring was 20.5 carats, and reportedly cost $2 million.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

|- | align="left" | 2004–05 | align="left" | Utah | 67 || 4 || 13.0 || .404 || .333 || .436 || 2.9 || .6 || .4 || .3 || 4.1 |- | align="left" | 2005–06 | align="left" | Utah | 62 || 2 || 10.0 || .379 || .000 || .523 || 2.5 || .5 || .4 || .3 || 3.0 |- | align="left" | 2006–07 | align="left" | Toronto | 60 || 2 || 11.2 || .470 || .000 || .671 || 3.1 || .3 || .2 || .3 || 3.8 |- | align="left" | 2007–08 | align="left" | Toronto | 70 || 0 || 13.2 || .483 || .000 || .605 || 3.7 || .4 || .4 || .4 || 5.7 |- | align="left" | 2008–09 | align="left" | Toronto | 29 || 0 || 9.1 || .422 || .000 || .792 || 2.4 || .3 || .3 || .2 || 3.9 |- | align="left" | 2009–10 | align="left" | Dallas | 25 || 0 || 12.6 || .461 || .000 || .568 || 3.8 || .3 || .3 || .4 || 5.2 |- | align="left" | 2009–10 | align="left" | New Jersey | 44 || 0 || 20.6 || .433 || .000 || .699 || 6.4 || .6 || .7 || .8 || 8.1 |- | align="left" | 2010–11 | align="left" | New Jersey | 74 || 44 || 27.9 || .527 || .000 || .665 || 10.4 || 1.1 ||.4 ||1.1 ||10.0 |- | align="left" | Career | align="left" | | 431 || 52 || 15.4 || .462 || .133 || .624 || 4.7 || .6 || .4 || .5 || 5.6

Playoffs

|- | align="left" | 2007 | align="left" | Toronto | 6 || 0 || 11.5 || .333 || .000 || .375 || 2.8 || .2 || .2 || .3 || 1.5 |- | align="left" | 2008 | align="left" | Toronto | 3 || 0 || .7 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 |- | align="left" | Career | align="left" | | 9 || 0 || 7.9 || .333 || .000 || .375 || 1.9 || .1 || .1 || .2 || 1.0

International career

Humphries was on the 2002 U.S. Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament Team, alongside future Raptors' teammate Chris Bosh. The team finished with a 4–1 record and the bronze medal and qualified for a berth in the 2003 FIBA Junior World Championship. Humphries averaged 9.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg in five games.

Notes

External links

Official website

Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:African American basketball players Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada Category:Basketball players from Minnesota Category:Dallas Mavericks players Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball players Category:New Jersey Nets players Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Category:People from Minneapolis, Minnesota Category:Power forwards (basketball) Category:Toronto Raptors players Category:Utah Jazz draft picks Category:Utah Jazz players

ca:Kris Humphries de:Kris Humphries es:Kris Humphries fr:Kris Humphries gl:Kris Humphries it:Kris Humphries ja:クリス・ハンフリーズ pt:Kris Humphries

name	Kim Kardashian
birth name	Kimberly Noel Kardashian
birth date	October 21, 1980
birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
nationality	American
net worth	$35 million
years active	2007–present
occupation	Businesswoman, socialite, television personality, model, actress
height
measurements	35D-26-40
television	''Keeping Up with the Kardashians''''Kourtney and Kim Take New York''
spouse	(separated)
parents	Robert Kardashian (father)Kris Jenner (mother)Bruce Jenner (stepfather)
relatives	Kourtney Kardashian (sister)Khloé Kardashian (sister)Robert Kardashian Jr. (brother)Kylie Jenner (half-sister)Kendall Jenner (half-sister)
website

Kimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian (born October 21, 1980) is an American socialite, television personality, model, actress and businesswoman. She is known for starring in ''Keeping Up with the Kardashians'', the E! reality series that she shares with her family, and its spin-offs including ''Kourtney and Kim Take New York''. Prior to the development of her career as a reality television star, Kardashian gained notoriety as the subject of a sex tape that subsequently resulted in a court awarding her $5 million. She has been involved in the production of several lines of clothing and fragrances. In 2010, she was the highest earning reality star, with estimated earnings of $6 million.

In August 2011, Kardashian married basketball player Kris Humphries in a widely publicized ceremony. In October 2011, Kardashian filed for divorce, 72 days after the wedding.

Biography

Early life

Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of attorney Robert Kardashian and his wife Kris Kardashian (née Houghton). Her father was a third generation Armenian American, and her mother is of Dutch and Scottish descent. Kardashian has two sisters, Kourtney and Khloé, and one brother, Robert. She has stepbrothers Burton Jenner, Brandon Jenner, and reality TV star Brody Jenner, step-sister Casey Jenner, and half-sisters Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner. She attended Marymount High School.

In 2000, Kardashian married music producer Damon Thomas; their relationship ended in divorce in 2004. Subsequently she dated R&B; singer Ray J, NFL star Reggie Bush and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin. She also dated model Gabriel Aubry.

2003–07: Controversy and reality television

In February 2007, a home sex video that she made with singer Ray J in 2003 was leaked. Vivid Entertainment bought the rights for $1 million and released the film as ''Kim Kardashian: Superstar'' on February 21. Kardashian sued Vivid for ownership of the tape. In late April 2007, Kardashian dropped the suit and settled with Vivid Entertainment for $5 million.

Kardashian was a friend of Paris Hilton, who introduced her to the socialite scene. Her first acting role was in the television series ''Beyond the Break''. In October 2007, along with her two sisters, mother, brother, half-sisters, and stepfather she starred in the E! television series, ''Keeping Up with the Kardashians''. As of October 2011, the series has aired 69 episodes over six seasons.

2007–2010: Modeling and retail

Kardashian co-owns a clothing boutique called D-A-S-H with her sisters Kourtney and Khloé. In December 2007, Kardashian posed nude for ''Playboy''. In February 2008, Bongo Jeans announced that she would be their face model. She has also modeled for Carl's Jr., Sugar Factory lollipops, and various other products.

Kardashian starred in the 2008 disaster film spoof ''Disaster Movie'' as Lisa, and appeared in the ''How I Met Your Mother'' episode "Benefits". She also appeared on the Season 3 premiere of the series ''90210'' with her sisters Khloé and Kourtney; they all played themselves. Kardashian was a guest hostess of WrestleMania XXIV and appeared as a guest judge during Cycle 13 of ''America's Next Top Model''. On December 16, 2009, Kardashian made a guest star appearance on CBS's ''CSI: NY'' with Vanessa Minnillo. In 2009 she had a cameo as club bouncer in the 2009 porn film spoof ''Deep in the Valley''

Kardashian was one of 13 participants on the seventh season of ''Dancing with the Stars''. She was partnered with Mark Ballas and was the third contestant voted off the show on September 30, 2008, finishing in 11th place overall. Sanford Siegal, the creator of the Cookie Diet, sued Kardashian, claiming she defamed him on Twitter. According to Siegal, Kardashian tweeted in October 2009 that he was "falsely promoting" that she was on the cookie diet. Siegal filed a claim in a Florida state court claiming the statements are false and defamatory. He also alleges that Kardashian was on QuickTrim's payroll when she posted the tweet. Kardashian's tweet appears to stem from an article on CookieDiet.com, that named Kardashian as one of many celebrities who saw positive results on the diet. Kardashian sent a cease-and-desist order to Siegal, demanding the link be removed.

Kardashian released her own fragrance product in 2010. In March 2009, Kardashian launched an endorsement with ''ShoeDazzle'' shopping, of which she is the co-founder and chief fashion stylist. The following month on April 9, 2009, Kardashian released a workout DVD series, ''Fit In Your Jeans By Friday,'' with trainers Jennifer Galardi and Patrick Goudeau. In September 2009, Fusion Beauty and Seven Bar Foundation launched "Kiss Away Poverty", with Kardashian as the face of the campaign. For every LipFusion lipgloss sold, $1 went to the Foundation to fund women entrepreneurs in the US.

She has also been featured in numerous international editions of ''FHM'', including the cover of the April 2010 Australian edition and the UK March 2011 edition. Famous Cupcakes, a Los Angeles bakery, created a vanilla cupcake mix for Kardashian. The cupcake flavor is called Va-Va-Va-Nilla. Kardashian has also created jewelry along with her sisters, Khloé and Kourtney. They produced a collection for ''Virgins, Saints, and Angels'' in 2010.

Again with her sisters, Kardashian has released various clothing lines. One called K-Dash was to be sold on QVC in 2010, and in the same year they produced a range for Bebe. As of August 2011 they are creating another for Sears, called the ''Kardashian Kollection''. In addition, Kardashian and her sisters created a sunless tanner called Kardashian Glamour Tan in 2010. On July 1, 2010, the New York City branch of Madame Tussauds revealed a wax figure of Kardashian.

2010–present: marriage, divorce and other ventures

Kardashian is the producer of ''The Spin Crowd'', a reality television show about ''Command PR'', a New York City public relations firm, run by Jonathan Cheban and Simon Huck. The show follows them as they settle into their new offices in Los Angeles. Kardashian is friends with both, specifically Cheban, and frequently appears on her reality shows. She also appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010. She also appeared in and was the subject and judge of a task on the ninth episode of Season 10 of ''The Apprentice'' in 2010; the two teams had to create an in-store display for her new perfume line, to be sold at Perfumania. Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé wrote an autobiography entitled ''Kardashian Konfidential'', which was released in stores on November 23, 2010. In April 2010, Kardashian sparked controversy over the way she held a cat for a photograph. The same year, animal rights organization PETA criticized Kardashian for repeatedly wearing fur coats, and named her as one of the five worst people or organizations of 2010 when it came to animal welfare. In June 2010, ''The Guardian'' commented on her ability to attract payments of up to US$10,000 from sponsors for each tweet that she broadcasts.

In December 2010, Kardashian filmed a music video for a song titled "Jam (Turn It Up)". The video was directed by Hype Williams; Kanye West makes a cameo in the video. Kardashian premiered the song during a New Year's Eve party at TAO Las Vegas on December 31, 2010. The song was produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. When asked if an album is in the works, Kardashian replied: "There's no album in the works or anything – just one song we did for ''Kourtney and Kim Take New York'', and a video Hype Williams directed, half of the proceeds we're giving away to a cancer foundation, because The-Dream's and one of my parents passed away from cancer. It's just all having fun – with a good cause". Jim Farber, writing for the ''Daily News'', called the song a "dead-brained piece of generic dance music, without a single distinguishing feature," and suggested that the single made Kardashian the "worst singer in the reality TV universe."

Kardashian's 2010 earnings were the highest among Hollywood-based reality stars, being estimated at $6 million.

Kardashian has supported the recognition of the Armenian Genocide on numerous occasions and has encouraged Barack Obama and the United States government to consider its acknowledgement. On April 21, 2011, a few days before the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, she wrote about the issue on her blog in an effort to put it under spotlight and also sent a tweet to her fans urging its recognition.

Kardashian began dating NBA player Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets in October 2010. They became engaged in May 2011, and married on August 20, 2011 in Montecito, California. A two-part TV special showing the preparations and the wedding itself aired on ''E!'' in early October 2011, amidst what the ''Washington Post'' called a "media blitz" related to the wedding. After 72 days of marriage, Kardashian filed for divorce from Humphries on October 31, 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. After filing for the divorce, Kardashian asked the court to order Humphries to pay his own legal expenses. On December 1, 2011, Humphries filed his response to Kardashian's petition, requesting an annulment on the grounds of fraud or if the court will not grant an annulment, a decree of legal separation rather than Kardashian's requested divorce.

Several news outlets have surmised that Kardashian's marriage to Kris Humphries was merely a publicity stunt to promote the Kardashian family's brand and their subsequent television ventures. Her former publicist has also claimed that her short-lived wedding was indeed staged and a ploy to generate money. Kardashian has since filed suit against him, saying his claims were untrue. A widely circulated petition asking to remove all Kardashian related programing off the air has been followed since their split.

Filmography

! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
2007–present	''Keeping Up with the Kardashians''	Herself	Reality Show
2008		Herself
2008	''Disaster Movie''	Lisa Taylor
2009	''CSI: NY''	Debbie Fallon	Season 6, 1 episode
2009–2010	''Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami''	Herself	Guest Star, 5 episodes
2009	''America's Next Top Model''	Herself	Cycle 13, 1 episode
2009	''Deep in the Valley''	Summa Eve
2009	''How I Met Your Mother''	Herself	Season 4, 1 episode
2009	''Beyond the Break''	Elle	Season 3, 4 episodes
2010		Herself	Season 3, 1 episode
2011	''Khloé & Lamar''	Herself	Guest Star, 3 episodes
2011–present	''Kourtney and Kim Take New York''	Herself	Reality Show
2011	''America's Next Top Model''	Herself	Cycle 17, 1 episode
2012	''Drop Dead Diva''	Nikki	Season 4, 1 episode
2012		Herself	Season 1, 1 episode
2012		Ava

References

External links

Kardashians join forces with Australian designer at Mediasearch

Category:1980 births Category:American female models Category:American film actors Category:American people of Armenian descent Category:American people of Dutch descent Category:American people of Scottish descent Category:American television actors Category:American women in business Category:American socialites Category:Businesspeople in fashion Category:Kardashian family Category:Living people Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People from Los Angeles, California

ar:كيم كردشيان az:Kim Kardaşyan bcl:Kim Kardashian da:Kim Kardashian de:Kim Kardashian et:Kim Kardashian es:Kim Kardashian eo:Kim Kardashian fa:کیم کارداشیان fr:Kim Kardashian fy:Kim Kardashian hy:Քիմ Քարտաշյան hi:किम कार्दशियन id:Kim Kardashian is:Kim Kardashian it:Kim Kardashian he:קים קרדשיאן ka:კიმ კარდაშიანი lv:Kima Kardašjana nl:Kim Kardashian ja:キム・カーダシアン no:Kim Kardashian nn:Kim Kardashian pl:Kim Kardashian pt:Kim Kardashian ro:Kim Kardashian ru:Кардашян, Ким sq:Kim Kardashian simple:Kim Kardashian sr:Ким Кардашијан fi:Kim Kardashian sv:Kim Kardashian ta:கிம் கர்தாசியன் tr:Kim Kardashian uk:Кім Кардашян vi:Kim Kardashian

Honorific-prefix	The Right Honourable
Name	Alistair Darling
Honorific-suffix	MP
Office	Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Leader	Harriet HarmanEd Miliband
Term start	11 May 2010
Term end	7 October 2010
Predecessor	George Osborne
Successor	Alan Johnson
Office2	Chancellor of the Exchequer
Primeminister2	Gordon Brown
Term start2	28 June 2007
Term end2	11 May 2010
Predecessor2	Gordon Brown
Successor2	George Osborne
Office3	Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Primeminister3	Tony Blair
Term start3	5 May 2006
Term end3	27 June 2007
Predecessor3	Alan Johnson
Successor3	John Hutton (at BERR)
Office4	Secretary of State for Scotland
Primeminister4	Tony Blair
Term start4	13 June 2003
Term end4	5 May 2006
Predecessor4	Helen Liddell
Successor4	Douglas Alexander
Office5	Secretary of State for Transport
Primeminister5	Tony Blair
Term start5	29 May 2002
Term end5	5 May 2006
Predecessor5	Stephen Byers (at TLGR)
Successor5	Douglas Alexander
Office6	Secretary of State for Work and PensionsSocial Security (1998–2001)
Primeminister6	Tony Blair
Term start6	27 July 1998
Term end6	29 May 2002
Predecessor6	Harriet Harman
Successor6	Andrew Smith
Office7	Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Term start7	3 May 1997
Term end7	27 July 1998
Primeminister7	Tony Blair
Predecessor7	William Waldegrave
Successor7	Stephen Byers
Office8	Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South WestEdinburgh Central (1987–2005)
Predecessor8	Alexander MacPherson Fletcher
Term start8	11 June 1987
Majority8	8,447 (18.6)
Birth date
Birth place	Hendon, Middlesex, England
Party	Labour
Spouse	Margaret Vaughan
Residence	EdinburghGreat Bernera (Private)
Alma mater	University of Aberdeen }}

Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953) is a British Labour Party politician who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1987, currently for Edinburgh South West. He served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2007 to 2010. Darling was one of only three people to have served in the Cabinet continuously from Labour's victory in 1997 until its defeat in 2010 (the others being Gordon Brown and Jack Straw).

Darling was initially appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1997, moving to become Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in 1998. Spending four years at the department, he spent another four years as Secretary of State for Transport, also becoming Secretary of State for Scotland in 2003. Prime Minister Tony Blair moved Darling for a final time, to Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 2006, before Gordon Brown promoted Darling to Chancellor in 2007.

Early life

Alistair Darling was born in London the son of a civil engineer, Thomas, and his wife, Anna. He is the great-nephew of Sir William Darling, who was Conservative MP for Edinburgh South (1945–1957). He was educated in Kirkcaldy, and the private Loretto School, Musselburgh, East Lothian, then attended the University of Aberdeen where he was awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B). He became the head of Aberdeen University Students Union. Before joining the Labour Party at the age of 23 in 1977, Darling was a supporter of the International Marxist Group, the British section of the Trotskyist Fourth International. He became a solicitor in 1978, then changed course for the Scots bar and was admitted as an advocate in 1984. He was elected as a councillor to the Lothian Regional Council in 1982 where he supported large rates rises in defiance of Margaret Thatcher's rate-capping laws and even threatened not to set a rate at all. He served on the council until he was elected to Parliament. He was also a board member for the Lothian and Borders Police and became a governor of Napier College in 1985 for two years.

Member of Parliament

He entered Parliament at the 1987 General Election in Edinburgh Central defeating the sitting Conservative MP Sir Alexander Fletcher by 2,262 votes, and has remained an MP since.

After the creation of the Scottish Parliament the number of Scottish seats at Westminster was reduced, and his Edinburgh Central seat was abolished. Since the 2005 election he has represented Edinburgh South West. The Labour Party was so concerned that Darling might be defeated, several senior party figures, including Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Chancellor Gordon Brown, made supportive visits to the constituency during the election campaign. Despite being a senior Cabinet minister himself, Darling was hardly seen outside the area, as he was making the maximum effort to win his seat. In the event, he won it with a majority of 7,242 over the second-placed Conservative candidate, a 16.49% margin on a 65.4% turnout.

Shadow Cabinet

As a backbencher he sponsored the ''Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1988''. He soon became an Opposition Home Affairs spokesman in 1988 on the frontbench of Neil Kinnock.

After the 1992 General Election he became a spokesman on Treasury Affairs until being promoted to Tony Blair's Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1996.

In Government

Following the 1997 General Election he entered Cabinet as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was one of only three people who had been in the Cabinet from the time Labour gained power until losing its majority in 2010; the others were Gordon Brown and Jack Straw.

In 1998 he was made the Secretary of State for Social Security replacing Harriet Harman who had been dismissed. After the 2001 General Election, the Department of Social Security was abolished and replaced with the new Department for Work and Pensions, which also took employment away from the education portfolio, Darling headed the new department until 2002 when he was transferred to the Department for Transport, in the wake of his predecessor Stephen Byers resigning.

Secretary of State for Transport

Darling was given a brief to "take the department out of the headlines" and was widely considered to have achieved this, although he was also criticised for achieving too little else whilst he held the transport brief. He oversaw the creation of Network Rail, the successor to Railtrack, which had collapsed in controversial circumstances for which his predecessor was largely blamed. He also procured the passage of the legislation - the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 - which abolished the Rail Regulator and replaced it with the Office of Rail Regulation. He was responsible for the Railways Act 2005 which abolished the Strategic Rail Authority, a creation of the Labour government under the Transport Act 2000. Darling was also responsible for the cancellation of several major Light Rail schemes. While Transport Secretary he was voted Britain's most boring politician two years in a row.

Although he was not at the Department for Transport at the time of the collapse of Railtrack, Darling vigorously defended what had been done in a speech to the House of Commons on 24 October 2005. This included the making of threats to the independent Rail Regulator that if he intervened to defend the company against the government's attempts to force it into railway administration - a special status for insolvent railway companies - the government would introduce emergency legislation to take the regulator under direct political control. This stance by Darling surprised many observers because during his tenure at the Department for Transport he had made several statements to Parliament and the financial markets assuring them that the government regarded independence in economic regulation of the railways as essential.

Secretary of State for Scotland

In 2003, when the Scotland Office was folded into the Department for Constitutional Affairs, he was made Scottish Secretary in combination with his transport portfolio.

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

In the Cabinet reshuffle of May 2006, he was moved to the position of Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Douglas Alexander replaced him as both Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland. On 10 November 2006 in a mini-reshuffle, Malcolm Wicks, the Minister for Energy at the Department of Trade and Industry and therefore one of Darling's junior ministers, was appointed Minister for Science. Darling took over day-to-day control of the Energy portfolio.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

In June 2007, the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed Darling Chancellor of the Exchequer, a promotion widely anticipated in the media. Journalists observed that three of Darling's four junior ministers at the Treasury (Angela Eagle, Jane Kennedy and Kitty Ussher) were female and dubbed his team, "Darling's Darlings".

In September 2007, for the first time since 1860, there was a run on a British bank, Northern Rock. Although the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority have jurisdiction in such cases, ultimate authority for deciding on financial support for a bank in exceptional circumstances rests with the Chancellor. The 2007 subprime mortgage financial crisis had caused a liquidity crisis in the UK banking industry, and Northern Rock was unable to borrow as required by its business model. Darling authorised the Bank of England to lend Northern Rock funds to cover its liabilities and provided an unqualified taxpayers’ guarantee of the deposits of savers in Northern Rock in an attempt to stop the run. Northern Rock borrowed up to £20 billion from the Bank of England, and Darling was criticised for becoming sucked into a position where so much public money was tied up in a private company.

In March 2008, Alistair Darling was criticised in some circles for the Budget by a media campaign spread by a social networking site. James Hughes, the landlord of Utopia Pub in Edinburgh, symbolically barred Darling from his pub, and a passing reporter from the Edinburgh Evening News ran the story. A Facebook group was created, leading dozens of pubs across Britain to follow Hughes, barring Darling from their pubs. The story was eventually picked up by most national press and broadcast media in Britain, and leader of the opposition cited the movement at Prime Minister's Questions on 26 March.

Child benefit data scandal

Darling was Chancellor when the personal and confidential details of over 25 million British citizens went missing while being sent from his department to the National Audit Office. A former Scotland Yard detective stated that with the current rate of £2.50 per person's details this data could have been sold for £60 million. The acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, put the value at £1.5bn, or £60 per identity.

Storm warning

In an interview in ''The Guardian'' published 30 August 2008, Alistair Darling warned, "The economic times we are facing... are arguably the worst they've been in 60 years. And I think it's going to be more profound and long-lasting than people thought." His blunt warning led to confusion within the Labour Party. However, Darling insisted that it was his duty to be “straight” with people.

Budget 2008

On 12 March 2008, Darling gave his first Budget in the House of Commons.

10% income tax band

Darling’s predecessor, Gordon Brown, before becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, axed the 10% starting rate on income tax and reduced the basic rate income tax band from 22% to 20%, in his final budget on 21 March 2007, to come into effect in the tax year starting 6 April 2008. This was not amended in Darling's 2008 budget. Although the majority of tax payers would become marginally better off as a result of these changes, around 5.1 million low earners (including those earning less than £18,000) would have financially suffered. On 18 October 2007, the Treasury released statistics which established that childless persons on low incomes could lose up to £200 a year as a result of the changes, while parents and those earning more than £20,000 would gain money.

Increasing political backlash to the additional tax burden put immense pressure onto the government including the new chancellor Darling with Gordon Brown facing criticism from his own Parliamentary Labour party. On 13 May 2008 Darling announced he would help low-paid workers hit by the scrapping of the 10p rate, by raising this year's personal tax allowance by £600 funded by borrowing £2.7 billion.

Stimulus spending

In order to boost falling demand, the government announced an additional £20bn spending package. Subsequently, Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, warned the government against further stimulus spending, due to insecure public finances.

Budget 2009

On 22 April 2009 Darling delivered his second budget speech in the House of Commons. To stimulate the motor industry, a £2,000 allowance was announced for a car more than 10 years old, if it is traded in for a new car. A 50% tax band was announced for earners of over £150,000 to start the following tax year.

Budget 2010

Gordon Brown confirmed on 10 March 2010 that Alistair Darling would deliver his third budget before the general election, and this budget was delivered on 24 March 2010.

Retirement from front bench politics

Following the defeat of the Labour Party in the 2010 general election, Darling announced that he intended to leave front bench politics. On 17 May 2010 it was reported that he stated: "It has been an honour and a tremendous privilege but I believe it is time for me to return to the backbenches from where I shall look after, with great pride, the constituents of Edinburgh South West."

Darling however suggested on 7 September 2010 on the Daily Politics show, that he was only intending to take a "year out" and may possibly reconsider his future.

Personal life

Darling had a brief previous marriage when young, but has been married to former journalist Margaret McQueen Vaughan since 1986; the couple have a son (Calum, born 1988) and daughter (Anna, born 1990). Margaret Vaughan worked for Radio Forth, the ''Daily Record'' and Glasgow ''Herald'' until Labour's election victory in 1997. Darling's media adviser, the former ''Herald'' political journalist, Catherine MacLeod, is a close friend of Vaughan and Darling, as well as being a long-standing Labour Party supporter. A sister Jane works as a cook and lives in Edinburgh.

He enjoys listening to Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Leonard Cohen and recently American rock band The Killers.

Expenses Claims

In May 2009, ''The Daily Telegraph'' reported that Darling changed the designation of his second home four times in four years, allowing him to claim for the costs of his family home in Edinburgh, and to buy and furnish a flat in London including the cost of stamp duty and other legal fees. Darling said that "the claims were made within House of Commons rules".

On 1 June 2009, Darling apologised "unreservedly" about a mistaken claim for £700, and had agreed to repay the money. He was supported by the Prime Minister, who referred to the incident as an inadvertent mistake.

Bibliography

References

External links

Rt Hon Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer ''HM Treasury'' (archived)

Kaupthing Controversy ''theukgovernment.com''

|- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |-

Category:1953 births Category:Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Category:Anglo-Scots Category:British Secretaries of State Category:Chancellors of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom Category:Councillors in Scotland Category:International Marxist Group members Category:Living people Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom Category:Members of the United Kingdom Parliament for Edinburgh constituencies Category:Old Lorettonians Category:People associated with Edinburgh Napier University Category:People associated with the campaign for Scottish devolution Category:Scottish lawyers Category:Secretaries of State for Scotland Category:Secretaries of State for Transport (UK) Category:Trotskyists Category:UK MPs 1987–1992 Category:UK MPs 1992–1997 Category:UK MPs 1997–2001 Category:UK MPs 2001–2005 Category:UK MPs 2005–2010 Category:UK MPs 2010– Category:Scottish Labour Party MPs

cy:Alistair Darling da:Alistair Darling de:Alistair Darling es:Alistair Darling fr:Alistair Darling is:Alistair Darling it:Alistair Darling la:Alexander Darling nl:Alistair Darling ja:アリスター・ダーリング no:Alistair Darling pl:Alistair Darling ru:Дарлинг, Алистер simple:Alistair Darling fi:Alistair Darling sv:Alistair Darling zh:戴理德