From 'coolest girl in college' to 10 Downing: Who is Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel?

Britain has got its seventh prime minister in 10 years — Andy Burnham, also known as the "King of the North". Burnham has been elected as the leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party.

The former Greater Manchester mayor has built a political identity around regional empowerment and public services. Burnham replaced Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street today (July 20).

The development came on the heels of Starmer announcing his resignation as UK PM and Labour Party leader on June 22. He conceded to pressure from within the Labour Party to hand over the reins of power.

While Burnham's political career has been widely documented, his personal life is also attracting considerable attention as his family members brace for entry into the national spotlight.

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We take a closer look.

Who is Andy Burnham?

Burnham was born on January 7, 1970, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. He grew up in Culcheth, near Warrington, in north-west England.

At Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, Burnham studied English Literature before starting a well-trodden path into professional politics.

Elected as Labour MP for Leigh in 2001, Burnham quickly established himself within the party hierarchy.

During the Labour governments led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, he occupied a succession of senior positions. His ministerial responsibilities included serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary.

After constituency boundaries were redrawn ahead of the 2024 general election, he became the MP for Makerfield in June this year, covering much of the same Greater Manchester constituency.

At 56 years old, Burnham is among the most experienced figures in the Labour Party. His political career spans more than two decades and includes service at the highest levels of government as well as nearly a decade overseeing one of England’s most important city-regions.

Who is Marie-France van Heel, Burnham's wife?

Marie-France van Heel is Dutch-born and raised in Belgium. She is also known as Frankie. Van Heel met Burnham at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and was considered "the coolest girl in college."

Van Heel was born in January 1970, the same month as Burnham. She was in her first year when she met Burnham, who was in his second year, studying English literature.

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel wave as they arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026. AP

Other students of the college thought that Burnham had "scooped the pools" when they both started dating, his former lecturer, John Mullan, wrote in the Times. 

During the early days of their relationship, Van Heel asked Burnham if she could go on Cilla Black's TV dating show Blind Date. He agreed, surprisingly.

Donning flares, a bottle green jacket and a yellow headband, she came on the programme and chose another contestant, Will from Surrey, to be her date on a holiday to Gibraltar, the BBC reported.

However, the TV couple didn't hit it off, and she quickly got back together with Burnham.

About 12 years later, Burnham and van Heel were together in a bar at Parliament when they unexpectedly ran into the same Will, who by then had become the Conservative Party's communications director.

The couple had their first child, Jimmy, in March 2000. After years of living together, they decided to get married.

Andy Burnham hugs his wife Marie-France van Heel as he is confirmed as the Labour Party's new leader and the country's next prime minister, during 'Labour's Special Conference' in central London, Friday, July 17, 2026. AP

Burnham told the Daily Telegraph in 2007, "I think marriage is better for kids. I'm a bit old-fashioned on these matters - although I have to admit that Jimmy, my eldest son, was at our wedding so I'm only old-fashioned up to a point."

"When my wife got pregnant for the first time, it was a complete shock. My first thought was, 'Oh my God, we'll have to get married'," he added.

Who are their children, Rosie, Annie and Jimmy?

Jimmy Burnham

The couple are parents to three kids: Jimmy, Rosie and Annie. Both welcomed their daughters, Rosie and Annie, a few years later while living in Manchester.

Jimmy is Burnham's eldest son and 26 years old. He was born in 2000 when Burnham and Van Heel were living in Brixton, London, before moving to the North.

Jimmy has attended University College London, where he pursued a degree in history. He subsequently became a caseworker for the Labour Party. Yahoo News reported, citing his LinkedIn profile, that he has worked as an assistant in a bakery.

Jimmy is currently an International Policy Officer for the Royal College of Nursing, the report noted.

Rosie Burnham

She is reportedly 23 years old. Rosie is the middle child of the three siblings. She is currently working at Jägermeister UK as a Customer Development Executive, the report noted. She has earned a degree in criminology from the University of Liverpool.

Andy Burnham with wife Marie-France Van Heel and daughter Rosie after winning the Makerfield by-election. File image/AP

Anne-Marie Burnham

Known as Annie, reportedly in her 20s, she is the youngest child. Annie holds an English degree from Cardiff University, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She has completed several internships in public relations and communications. A tattoo on her arm reads: "your eyes were like machinery", which is a lyric from a Big Thief song.

The new UK prime minister has posted several photos of himself with Annie, Rosie and Jimmy.

With inputs from agencies