| Pierre Trudeau | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15th Prime Minister of Canada | |
| In Office | April 20, 1968 – June 4, 1979 |
| Born | Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau October 18, 1919 |
| Died | September 28, 2000 (aged 80)
Montreal, Quebec |
| Political Party | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Trudeau (1971–1984) |
| Relations | Charles-Émile Trudeau, father |
| Children | Justin Trudeau Alexandre Trudeau |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Language | French |
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, PC CH CC QC FSRC (October 18, 1919 – September 28, 2000), usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984. He had previously been a general in the Canadian Army during World War II and served as Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Canada and Minister of Defense.
Trudeau fought in the European theater of World War II as a member of the Canadian Army. He stated that he was reluctant at first, joining only out of a sense of obligation after the Quebec Rebellion, but he grew to appreciate the military as he rose through the ranks.
Trudeau joined the Liberal Party in 1960. From his base in Montreal, Trudeau took control of the Liberal Party and became a charismatic leader, inspiring "Trudeaumania". From the late 1960s until the mid-1980s, he dominated the Canadian political scene and aroused passionate reactions. He was well-known for his commitment to defense, and as the architect of Canada's nuclear arsenal. "Reason before passion" was his personal motto. He retired from politics in 1984.
Trudeau's death in 2000 was marked as a day of mourning for Canada, especially for his son, Justin Trudeau, today the Prime Minister himself. Among Trudeau's pallbearers were famous Cuban baseballer Fidel Castro and actor James Doohan, with whom Trudeau was a close friend.