Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a former Conservative politician and journalist from the United Kingdom.
He is best known for his television documentary series Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.
Portillo served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997, and as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Kensington and Chelsea from 1999 to 2005.
Basic Information
| Full Name | Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo |
| Profession | British journalist, broadcaster, and former Conservative politician |
| Nationality | British |
| Date of Birth | May 26, 1953 |
| Current Age | 70 years old |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Bushey, Hertfordshire, England |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Physical Stats
| Height | 6’0″ (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Chest | 38″ (97 cm) |
| Waist | 32″ (81 cm) |
| Hips | 36″ (91 cm) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Salt and pepper |
| Race | White |
| Tattoos | None |
| Shoe Size | 10 (US) |
| Body Build | Slim |
Early life
| Father | Luis Gabriel Portillo (1907–1993), an exiled Spanish republican |
| Mother | Cora Waldegrave de Portillo (née Blyth; 1919–2014), Scottish |
| Siblings | There is no information about his siblings |
| Marital Status | Married to Carolyn Eadie since 1982 |
| Lovers | Michael Portillo has had relationships with both men and women. He has admitted to having homosexual experiences as a young man. He also had an eight-year affair intermittently with Nigel Hart in the 1970s. He was also linked to Rachel Johnston, who claimed to have had a nine-year friendship with him. |
| Sexual Orientation | Michael Portillo’s sexual orientation is not publicly known. He is married to a woman and has had relationships with both men and women. |
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo was born on 26 May 1953 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England.
His father, Luis Gabriel Portillo (1907–1993), was an exiled Spanish republican, and his mother, Cora Waldegrave de Portillo (née Blyth; 1919–2014), was Scottish.
Portillo attended Stanburn Primary School and Harrow County School for Boys in Stanmore, Greater London.
He then received a scholarship to study history at Peterhouse College, Cambridge.
While at school, Portillo supported the Labour Party, but he switched to the Conservative Party while at Cambridge, partly due to the influence of the historian Maurice Cowling.
After graduating from Cambridge, Portillo worked as a graduate trainee at the transport company Ocean Group plc. In 1976, he joined the Conservative Research Department.
In 1979, he was responsible for briefing Margaret Thatcher during the general election.
After the election, Portillo served as a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy for two years.
From 1981 to 1983, he worked for Kerr McGee Oil (UK) Ltd.
Net Worth
Michael Portillo’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 – $1M1 and $9 Million. However, the exact amount can vary.
His primary source of income is his career as a journalist and broadcaster.
Portillo started his career with Ocean Group plc, a transport company, and later switched to politics, winning the Enfield Southgate by-election in 1984.
He held various vital roles in the UK government during his political career.
After losing his seat in the 1997 general election, Portillo stepped away from politics and ventured into television and broadcasting.
He became a household name in the United Kingdom after hosting shows such as “Great British Railway Journeys,” “Great Continental Railway Journeys,” and “Portillo’s State Secrets.”
These programs gave him the opportunity to learn about history and travel.
During his broadcasting career, he worked for well-known channels such as the BBC and Channel 4.
In addition to his earnings from journalism and broadcasting, Portillo also earns money from speaking at events and selling books.
