Terry Major-Ball
Terry Major-Ball | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Worcester Park, Surrey, England |
| Died | March 13, 2007 (aged 74) Chard, Somerset, England |
| Occupation(s) | Columnist, banker, media figure |
| Known for | Older brother of UK Prime Minister John Major; media appearances during John's premiership |
Terry Major-Ball (2 July 1932 – 13 March 2007) was a British columnist, banker, and media figure, primarily recognized as the older sibling of former UK Prime Minister John Major. Throughout his brother’s six-year term as Prime Minister, he engaged briefly in television, radio, and print journalism, demonstrating steadfast loyalty and discretion amid media scrutiny.
Early life
Terry Major-Ball was born in 1932 in Worcester Park, Surrey, to parents Tom Major-Ball, a former music hall entertainer and circus performer who later operated a garden ornament company named Major's Garden Ornaments, and Gwen, a professional dancer. Unlike his brothers and sisters, Terry did not pass the 11 plus exam and consequently attended Stoneleigh East Secondary Modern School. During the Second World War, the family was evacuated to Norfolk. After the war ended, he fulfilled his National Service duties with the Royal Army Medical Corps stationed in Germany.
After completing his military service, Major-Ball made efforts to sustain the family business, which was ultimately acquired by a rival in 1962. The family’s financial struggles led them to rent accommodation in Brixton. To contribute financially, Terry undertook various low-level jobs. It was while working at Woolworths in Brixton in 1958 that he met Shirley Wilson; they married two years later in 1960. He subsequently found employment as a meter installer for the South Eastern Electricity Board before moving into banking.
Brother's premiership
Terry Major-Ball entered the public eye in November 1990 when his brother John assumed office as Prime Minister following the Conservative Party leadership contest. During John Major’s time in office, Terry became a popular figure with the media. In 1994, he released his autobiography titled Major Major: Memories of an Older Brother, which was ghostwritten by journalist James Hughes-Onslow. The book garnered acclaim, with critics like John Wells describing it as "one of the great comic books of the year" and Auberon Waugh calling it "exquisitely funny". Throughout this period, he remained discreet about sensitive family matters such as John's affair with Edwina Currie and the existence of a secret half-brother. In 1995, he appeared on television programs including Have I Got News for You and The Mrs Merton Show.
In 1993, after disclosing that he had only traveled internationally once during his National Service, The Evening Standard arranged for him to take a first-class flight to New York City where he met Liza Minnelli. Additionally, Terry inaugurated a garden gnome festival held in Christchurch, New Zealand. He contributed columns to publications such as The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, and The Guardian. Furthermore, he hosted a BBC2 travel series titled A Postcard to my Brother, which featured visits to France, Germany, and Poland.
Later years
Following John Major’s departure from office after the 1997 general election, Terry Major-Ball’s presence in the public sphere diminished. In 2003, he moved from Croydon, London to Somerset, where he resided until passing away from prostate cancer on 13 March 2007 at a hospice located in Chard, Somerset. His death was publicly announced on 20 April 2007. He is survived by his wife and children.