Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday Dies at 90

PORT OF SPAIN – Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday died today. He was 90.

His daughter Mickela Panday, in a post on social media, confirmed his death saying “with deep sorrow, we would like to share that our loving husband and father, Basdeo Panday, passed away on January 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.

“In life and death he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humour. He will live on in all of us, remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader and friend.

“He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him. We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him,” she wrote.

Panday, an attorney, trade unionist, economist, actor and former civil servant, served as the country’s fifth prime minister from 1995 to 2001.

He was the first person of Indian descent to lead a government in Trinidad and Tobago and was first elected to Parliament in 1976.

He served as opposition leader on five occasions between 1976 and 2010 and was the founding member of three political parties, including the now main opposition United National Congress.

He is survived by wife Oma and his daughter. (CMC)