Michaëlle Jean and Jean-Daniel Lafond – Not Public

Jean-Daniel Lafond was born in France, where he was a professor of philosophy and a researcher. He became a Canadian citizen in 1981. Since then, he has devoted his life to filmmaking and writing and was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada, its highest civilian award, in 2005.

Michaëlle Jean, who was born in Haiti, married Lafond, and the couple adopted as their daughter Marie-Éden, an orphaned child from Jacmel. Through her marriage to Lafond, Jean has two stepdaughters. Since reprising her various roles in government, she founded the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. It is estimated that they have been together for three decades.