Nicola Sturgeon is a name that has become synonymous with Scottish politics. Serving as Scotland’s First Minister from 2014 until 2023, she was a powerful and often controversial voice in the country’s debates over independence, Brexit, and social reform.
For nearly a decade, she navigated Scotland through political upheaval and global crises while becoming one of the most recognisable political figures in the UK.
In 2025, the release of extracts from her autobiography Frankly shed new light on her relationships, her views on sexuality, and the emotional toll of her years in public life.
This article explores her life story, dating history, and the truth behind the question many still ask: is Nicola Sturgeon in a relationship?
Who Is Nicola Sturgeon?
Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon was born on 19 July 1970 in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. She is the eldest of two daughters of Robin Sturgeon, an electrician, and Joan Kerr Ferguson, a dental nurse.
Early Life And Education
Raised in the nearby village of Dreghorn, Sturgeon was a studious child with a passion for reading and public affairs. She attended Greenwood Academy in Irvine, where she excelled academically, before enrolling at the University of Glasgow to study law.
She graduated with honours and qualified as a solicitor, but her ambitions were increasingly drawn toward public service.
First Steps In Politics
Her political journey began early. At just 16, she joined the Scottish National Party, inspired by concerns about economic inequality and the political climate of the 1980s.
Her early political activity included campaigning in elections and speaking at local events. By the 1992 general election, she was already one of the youngest candidates standing for Westminster.
Political Career Rise
In 1999, she was elected to the newly formed Scottish Parliament, representing Glasgow. Over the following years, she earned a reputation as a skilled debater and policy strategist.
Serving as Deputy First Minister from 2007 to 2014, she became First Minister in November 2014 after Alex Salmond’s resignation. Her leadership covered major events such as the Brexit referendum, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing independence movement.
Is Nicola Sturgeon In A Relationship?
As of 2025, Nicola Sturgeon is not publicly known to be in a relationship. She separated from her husband, Peter Murrell, earlier in the year after more than 20 years together.
Public Confirmation Of Separation
In January 2025, Sturgeon posted on social media to confirm the split. She did not elaborate on the reasons, but she made clear that it was a personal decision and requested privacy. This announcement came after months of speculation and followed Murrell’s legal troubles linked to the SNP finances investigation.
Commitment To Privacy
In Frankly, Sturgeon reiterates her belief that intimate relationships should remain private. While she acknowledges her long-term relationships with men, she makes no mention of any current romantic partner and signals that her personal life will remain off-limits to the public.
Who Has Nicola Sturgeon Dated In The Past?
Sturgeon’s relationship history is remarkably private for someone in her position.
Known Long-Term Relationship
Her most well-known romance is, of course, her marriage to Murrell. They met at an SNP youth event in 1988, began dating in 2003, and stayed together until their 2025 separation.
Rumoured Relationships
Over the years, Sturgeon has been the target of persistent rumours. In early 2020, social media claimed she was having an affair with Catherine Colonna, then French ambassador to the UK.
These stories often included outlandish details, such as a supposed altercation at the Balmoral Hotel or the purchase of a shared “love nest” in Bridge of Allan. Sturgeon has dismissed these as false, calling them both absurd and homophobic in tone.
When Did Nicola Sturgeon And Peter Murrell Get Married?
The pair married in July 2010 at Òran Mór in Glasgow’s West End, in a ceremony attended by family, close friends, and a few political colleagues.
A Partnership In Politics
Their marriage was notable not only for its longevity but also for the fact that both were central to the SNP’s leadership, she as First Minister and he as Chief Executive. While this brought mutual understanding, it also meant their lives were subject to unique pressures.
Low-Key Personal Life
The couple rarely spoke about their home life in public. Those who knew them described a relationship built on mutual respect and political collaboration, even if the outside world saw only glimpses of their private bond.
Why Did Nicola Sturgeon And Peter Murrell Separate?
The reasons for their separation remain largely undisclosed, but the timeline points to overlapping personal and political pressures.
Legal And Political Strain
In 2023, Murrell was arrested during a high-profile investigation into the SNP’s finances. Sturgeon herself was later arrested and questioned, describing the experience as “the worst day of my life.”
Although she was cleared in 2025, she likened the ordeal to “mental torture” and admitted it had a profound impact on her wellbeing.
Moving Into A New Chapter
These events, coupled with her decision to step down as First Minister in 2023, marked a turning point in her personal life. Ending her marriage appears to have been part of a broader effort to reclaim her sense of privacy and autonomy.
What Has Nicola Sturgeon Said About Her Sexuality?
In her memoir, Sturgeon offers her most candid comments yet on the subject.
Rejecting Binary Labels
She states that she has never considered sexuality to be binary, even though her relationships have been predominantly with men. This view challenges simplistic assumptions and reflects a more fluid understanding of attraction and identity.
Keeping Intimacy Private
Sturgeon emphasises that sexual relationships should not be subject to public scrutiny unless individuals choose to share them. This principle underpins her reluctance to discuss current or future romantic partners.
What Were The Rumours About Nicola Sturgeon’s Relationship With The French Ambassador?
In early 2020, social media became flooded with claims linking her to Catherine Colonna.
The Details Of The Gossip
Stories varied wildly, some alleging physical altercations, others claiming property purchases. One false narrative even suggested she had obtained a superinjunction to suppress the story, something she points out does not exist in Scots law.
Public Response
Rather than react defensively, Sturgeon recounted laughing about the rumours with Colonna when they met in person. She has used the episode as an example of how misinformation spreads online and the prejudices that often lie beneath such gossip.
How Has Nicola Sturgeon Responded To Relationship Speculations?
Her handling of speculation blends humour, firmness, and refusal to overshare.
Humour As A Shield
In interviews, she has joked that some of the supposed accounts of her life sound far more glamorous than the reality.
Setting Boundaries
She does not engage in confirming or denying specific stories beyond dismissing clear falsehoods, reinforcing the idea that her personal life is her own to manage.
How Did Nicola Sturgeon’s Personal Life Impact Her Political Career?
Sturgeon’s personal and professional worlds have at times collided in ways that shaped her career trajectory.
The Miscarriage Experience
At age 40, she became pregnant but miscarried during an election campaign. Initially uncertain about motherhood, she later described the loss as devastating and said it left an enduring emotional mark. She has been open about the guilt she felt and the grief that followed.
The SNP Finances Probe
The intense scrutiny and stress of the investigation into her party’s finances contributed to her decision to step down as First Minister. She described the process as exhausting and invasive, underscoring her desire to prioritise privacy in the next stage of her life.
What Is The Net Worth Of Nicola Sturgeon?
While she has not disclosed exact figures, her financial standing reflects her years in high office, book contracts, and potential future speaking engagements.
Political Earnings
As First Minister, she earned one of the highest political salaries in the UK.
Book Deal And Beyond
In August 2023, she received £75,000 as the first instalment of her memoir deal with Pan Macmillan. With the release of Frankly, she is expected to see further earnings from sales and related appearances.
Conclusion
Nicola Sturgeon’s journey is one of determination, resilience, and a careful balance between public duty and personal boundaries. In 2025, as she steps away from frontline politics, she offers more insight into her private life than ever before but on her own terms.
Whether single or in a relationship, her decision to keep certain matters private stands as a statement about self-protection in the public eye. Her experiences, both personal and political, continue to shape her legacy as one of Scotland’s most prominent leaders.
FAQs
What has she said about her sexuality?
She does not view sexuality as binary and believes relationships should be private.
What was the French ambassador rumour?
A false claim that she had an affair with Catherine Colonna.
Why did she separate from Peter Murrell?
They have not disclosed full reasons, but legal and political pressures likely contributed.
Is she currently dating?
No public confirmation of a new relationship as of 2025.
What is her memoir called?
Frankly, due for release in August 2025.
