Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss | CNN

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British Prime Minister Liz Truss announces her resignation in front of No. 10 Downing Street on October 20.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss announces her resignation in front of No. 10 Downing Street on October 20.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters

In pictures: Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss

Updated 12:25 PM EDT, Tue October 25, 2022
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Liz Truss resigned as the United Kingdom's prime minister six weeks after being elected leader of the Conservative Party. It makes her the UK's shortest-serving leader ever.

Truss followed Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May as Britain's third female premier. She succeeded Boris Johnson, who resigned in July after a series of scandals.

Throughout her political career, Truss has been compared to Thatcher, who, for many on the right, remains the benchmark for Conservative leaders. Like Thatcher, Truss has come from relatively humble beginnings to dominate a world inhabited largely by men.

Truss was elected to Parliament in 2010. In a relatively short period of time, she established herself as a political force of nature who pursues her agenda with relentless vigor and unequivocal enthusiasm. She served under three prime ministers in several different cabinet jobs, most recently as foreign secretary.

But weeks into her premiership, Truss was already under fire for a controversial mini-budget full of unfunded tax-cutting measures that sent financial markets into meltdown. At one point, the pound sank to its lowest level against the dollar in decades.

Truss is photographed in her London office while she was deputy director of Reform, a policy think tank, in 2009.
Truss is photographed in her London office while she was deputy director of Reform, a policy think tank, in 2009.
Karen Robinson/Redux
While running for Parliament, Truss canvasses in the village of West Walton in 2010. She was elected later that year. Truss was born in 1975 into a family that she herself has described as "to the left of Labour," Britain's main left-wing party. She grew up in parts of the UK that didn't traditionally vote Conservative, moving between Scotland and the north of England.
While running for Parliament, Truss canvasses in the village of West Walton in 2010. She was elected later that year. Truss was born in 1975 into a family that she herself has described as "to the left of Labour," Britain's main left-wing party. She grew up in parts of the UK that didn't traditionally vote Conservative, moving between Scotland and the north of England.
Chris Radburn/PA/Getty Images
Truss appears with John Stapleton on the "Daybreak" television program in February 2014. Truss says she joined the Conservatives in 1996, just two years after she gave a speech at a Liberal Democrat conference calling for the end of the monarchy.
Truss appears with John Stapleton on the "Daybreak" television program in February 2014. Truss says she joined the Conservatives in 1996, just two years after she gave a speech at a Liberal Democrat conference calling for the end of the monarchy.
Steve Meddle/Shutterstock
Truss meets students at a school in west London in July 2014. She was launching a new government plan to get more locally sourced and grown food into schools and hospitals.
Truss meets students at a school in west London in July 2014. She was launching a new government plan to get more locally sourced and grown food into schools and hospitals.
Stefan Rousseau/PA/Getty Images
Truss speaks at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England, in 2015. At the time, she was secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
Truss speaks at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England, in 2015. At the time, she was secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
Jon Super/AP
Truss stands between John Thomas, the lord chief justice of England and Wales, and John Dyson, master of the rolls at the Royal Courts of Justice, in July 2016. She had been sworn in as lord chancellor and justice secretary in Theresa May's new government.
Truss stands between John Thomas, the lord chief justice of England and Wales, and John Dyson, master of the rolls at the Royal Courts of Justice, in July 2016. She had been sworn in as lord chancellor and justice secretary in Theresa May's new government.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Truss speaks with Custodial Manager Wendy-Fisher McFarlane as she is escorted around the HM Prison Brixton in November 2016.
Truss speaks with Custodial Manager Wendy-Fisher McFarlane as she is escorted around the HM Prison Brixton in November 2016.
Dan Kitwood/Pool/Reuters
Truss arrives at Downing Street in 2017.
Truss arrives at Downing Street in 2017.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Truss, then as chief secretary to the Treasury, joins Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and other members of the Treasury team before they presented the government's annual budget to Parliament in 2018.
Truss, then as chief secretary to the Treasury, joins Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and other members of the Treasury team before they presented the government's annual budget to Parliament in 2018.
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Truss and London Mayor Peter Estlin join US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, at an international trade dinner in London in 2019.
Truss and London Mayor Peter Estlin join US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, at an international trade dinner in London in 2019.
Dominic Lipinski/PA/Getty Images
Truss speaks during the annual Conservative Party conference in October 2021.
Truss speaks during the annual Conservative Party conference in October 2021.
Phil Noble/Reuters
Truss, as foreign secretary, stands with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid as they met in London in November 2021.
Truss, as foreign secretary, stands with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid as they met in London in November 2021.
Stefan Rousseau/PA/Getty Images
Truss, center, poses for a group photo with other G7 foreign ministers ahead of a meeting in Liverpool, England, in December 2021.
Truss, center, poses for a group photo with other G7 foreign ministers ahead of a meeting in Liverpool, England, in December 2021.
Olivier Douliery/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Truss attends a meeting with European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic in Sevenoaks, England, in January 2022.
Truss attends a meeting with European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic in Sevenoaks, England, in January 2022.
Ben Stansall/Pool/Reuters
Truss takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow in February 2022.
Truss takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow in February 2022.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Sefcovic and Truss meet in London in February 2022. Truss supported remaining in the European Union in the UK's referendum in 2016. At the time, Truss tweeted that she was backing those who wanted to remain in the bloc because "it is in Britain's economic interest and means we can focus on vital economic and social reform at home." Truss now backs Brexit, saying that her fears before the referendum that it could cause "disruption" were mistaken.
Sefcovic and Truss meet in London in February 2022. Truss supported remaining in the European Union in the UK's referendum in 2016. At the time, Truss tweeted that she was backing those who wanted to remain in the bloc because "it is in Britain's economic interest and means we can focus on vital economic and social reform at home." Truss now backs Brexit, saying that her fears before the referendum that it could cause "disruption" were mistaken.
Rob Pinney/Pool/Reuters
Truss makes a statement on sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Truss makes a statement on sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
UK Parliament/Handout/Reuters
Truss and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hold a joint news conference in Washington, DC, in March 2022.
Truss and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hold a joint news conference in Washington, DC, in March 2022.
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel, right, sit with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, during the National Service of Thanksgiving in June 2022. It was part of celebrations marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel, right, sit with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, during the National Service of Thanksgiving in June 2022. It was part of celebrations marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Phil Noble/Pool/Reuters
Truss meets supporters during a campaign event in London in July 2022.
Truss meets supporters during a campaign event in London in July 2022.
Carlos Jasso/Pool/Getty Images
Truss delivers a speech after becoming Prime Minister-elect in September 2022.
Truss delivers a speech after becoming Prime Minister-elect in September 2022.
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Truss waves as she leaves Conservative Party Headquarters in September 2022.
Truss waves as she leaves Conservative Party Headquarters in September 2022.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Truss during an audience at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F09%2F06%2Fuk%2Fliz-truss-officially-new-prime-minister-uk-gbr-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">invited Truss to form a new government.</a>
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Truss during an audience at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she invited Truss to form a new government.
Jane Barlow/AP
Truss delivers <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F09%2F06%2Fuk%2Fliz-truss-officially-new-prime-minister-uk-gbr-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">her first speech as prime minister</a> outside No. 10 Downing Street. She pledged to immediately set about tackling the United Kingdom's spiraling cost-of-living crisis, saying she was confident that "together we can ride out of the storm" of economic problems facing the nation.
Truss delivers her first speech as prime minister outside No. 10 Downing Street. She pledged to immediately set about tackling the United Kingdom's spiraling cost-of-living crisis, saying she was confident that "together we can ride out of the storm" of economic problems facing the nation.
Toby Melville/Reuters
Truss holds her first cabinet meeting inside No. 10 Downing Street. Truss has assembled <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F09%2F07%2Fuk%2Fliz-truss-diverse-cabinet-uk-gbr-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the most ethnically diverse Cabinet</a> in the United Kingdom's history, with several top jobs given to Black and other minority ethnic lawmakers.
Truss holds her first cabinet meeting inside No. 10 Downing Street. Truss has assembled the most ethnically diverse Cabinet in the United Kingdom's history, with several top jobs given to Black and other minority ethnic lawmakers.
Frank Augstein/Pool/AP
A day after becoming prime minister, Truss speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons.
A day after becoming prime minister, Truss speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons.
Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/AP
Truss delivers a speech during the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London in September 2022.
Truss delivers a speech during the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London in September 2022.
David Levene/Shutterstock
Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng, center, deliver the Government's Growth Plan statement at the House of Commons in September 2022. Kwarteng announced a controversial mini-budget full of unfunded tax-cutting measures <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F10%2F13%2Fuk%2Fliz-truss-ousting-analysis-intl-gbr%2Findex.html" target="_blank">that sent financial markets into meltdown.</a> At one point, the pound sank to its lowest level against the dollar in decades. He was relieved of his duties weeks later.
Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng, center, deliver the Government's Growth Plan statement at the House of Commons in September 2022. Kwarteng announced a controversial mini-budget full of unfunded tax-cutting measures that sent financial markets into meltdown. At one point, the pound sank to its lowest level against the dollar in decades. He was relieved of his duties weeks later.
Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Reuters
Truss poses with her husband, Hugh O'Leary, after speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, England, in October 2022.
Truss poses with her husband, Hugh O'Leary, after speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, England, in October 2022.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Truss arrives for the inaugural gathering of the European Political Community in Prague in October 2022.
Truss arrives for the inaugural gathering of the European Political Community in Prague in October 2022.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with Truss during a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.
Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with Truss during a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace in October 2022.
Kirsty O'Connor/Reuters
Truss holds a news conference in October 2022 after <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F10%2F14%2Fuk%2Fliz-truss-tax-u-turn-trouble-analysis-intl-gbr%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sacking Kwarteng.</a> Asked whether she would say sorry to her party's lawmakers, some of whom were publicly trashing her economic agenda, she replied: "I am determined to deliver on what I set out when I campaigned to be party leader. We need to have a high-growth economy but we have to recognize that we are facing very difficult issues as a country."
Truss holds a news conference in October 2022 after sacking Kwarteng. Asked whether she would say sorry to her party's lawmakers, some of whom were publicly trashing her economic agenda, she replied: "I am determined to deliver on what I set out when I campaigned to be party leader. We need to have a high-growth economy but we have to recognize that we are facing very difficult issues as a country."
Daniel Leal/Getty Images
Truss delivers a speech on her last day in office as her husband, Hugh, and her daughters, Frances and Liberty, watch outside No. 10 Downing Street in October 2022. She was prime minister for six weeks.
Truss delivers a speech on her last day in office as her husband, Hugh, and her daughters, Frances and Liberty, watch outside No. 10 Downing Street in October 2022. She was prime minister for six weeks.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters
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