Eddie Fenech Adami turns 80 today.
Having lived more than half his life under the spotlight, he is looking forward to celebrating the start of a new decade with a “low key affair”.
“I will be spending the day with the family. No great celebrations. I will lunch with my children and grandchildren and that’s, it basically,” Dr Fenech Adami told Times of Malta yesterday.
Not all of his 10 grandchildren, whose ages vary from four to 19, will make it today, “But I’ll be seeing them on Sunday,” the former President and prime minister said.
As one of the most accomplished politicians in Malta, he was now looking forward to leading a normal life “without taking on burdens”.
“I describe myself as finally a free man. I generally get up in the morning without having a programme.” He enjoys going for walks and relishes the fact that he is “completely free”. He does not really miss the hectic life at all. “It’s the first time I feel like that in my life, really.”
Finally a free man
Ten years ago yesterday, he had announced his decision to step down as leader of the Nationalist Party though he still identifies himself with it: “It’s still a party which sticks to principles.” Dr Fenech Adami, born in Birkirkara and a lawyer by profession, is known as a family man and a devout Catholic. He was first co-opted to the House of Representatives in 1969 and was re-elected in 1971 and 1976. He became party leader on April 11, 1977, succeeding George Borg Olivier. Under Dr Fenech Adami’s leadership, the PN won the majority of popular vote but only 31 of the 65 seats in Parliament in the 1981 election. Dr Fenech Adami had to wait until May 1987 to be sworn in as prime minister for the first time.
The PN won the general elections of 1987, 1992, 1998 and 2003. As PN leader, Dr Fenech Adami also won the referendum on EU member -ship in 2003. His autobiography, published by Allied Publications, will be released in two weeks’ time. Dr Fenech Adami was assisted in the writing by Times of Malta editor-in-chief Steve Mallia, who carried out interviews with the former Prime Minister and President.
Mr Mallia said: “For the first time, there will be a book about him entirely in his own words, offering an insight into the man that has not been seen before in print. His account is engaging, frank and occasionally humorous.”
Eddie – My Journey will be launched on February 21 and will be available the next day at Word for Word bookshop. For more information call 2559 4162. Proceeds from the book will go to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.