Understanding the Misunderstood – Margaret Trudeau

 

Figure 1. Andy Warhol & Margaret

Trudeau; Studio 54, 1978. Photo by Adam

Scull - PHOTOLink.net

 A great admiration for Margaret Sinclair Trudeau Kemp developed the day I heard on the CBC evening news she married an old man, Pierre Trudeau, who was nearly thirty years her senior and Canada’s charismatic and flamboyant Prime Minister. Over the next few years, Canadians continued to hear about Maggie, the flower child, about her unusual antics and peculiar behaviour.  In the 1970’s, she became the misbehaving ex-wife who partied at Studio 54 with Andy Warhol (see Figure 1) to escape reality.



Figure 2. Margaret Trudeau; Studio 54,

1979. Source: cbc.ca

 

In Figure 2, Maggie looks delusional and, perhaps, experiencing uncontrollable euphoria. There was something wrong—something deeply wrong that people didn’t understand.

 



Figure 3. Margaret Trudeau,

September 2010.

Source: speakers.ca

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001, Figure 3 shows a new Maggie. Looking outward, she portrays a strong and determined person who looks balanced and happy. Her facial expression gives the impression of hopefulness but there is weariness about her physical facial features that show her continuous fight with her mental illness. The wistful hair and her hand resting on the side of her face give the feeling of compassion and warm-heartedness.  This image commands respect—a compassionate respect Maggie deserves from Canadians who misunderstood her in the past. The most intriguing characteristic I like about Maggie is that she is a fighter—she fought every day of her life to cope with her illness and now, she continues the fight with confidence and determination to win her battle. After being enclosed in a cocoon by an undiagnosed illness for over thirty years, Margaret Sinclair Trudeau Kemp has emerged as a brilliant colorful butterfly, free to spread her wings to fly as high as she can!  

Figure 3. Margaret Trudeau,

September 2010.

Source: speakers.ca