WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford's wife died suddenly today.
The Welsh government announced the death of Clare Drakeford, 66, with "deep sadness".
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Clare had been married to the Welsh Labour Leader since 1977.
The pair had three children together.
Last year Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his "vulnerable" wife for much of the pandemic.
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The pair had lived in separate homes in order to "keep her safe".
He told ITV Wales: “I’ve been married for a very long time and not to be in the house and to be at a physical distance, even though we saw each other every day and talked every day, it was a puzzling experience in that sort of way and for that to be over it is a bit emotional for everybody.”
Paying tribute to Clare today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: "My thoughts are with the First Minister and his family at this very difficult time.
"On behalf of everyone in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I extend our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends."
Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, said: "So shocked and so very sad at the news of Clare Drakeford's death.
"The thoughts and sympathy of all us in and across the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party are with Mark and his family."
