Former Cabinet Minister Therese Coffey has opened up about the toll that being in the Government took on her health, revealing that she "nearly died" due to the stress. The Tory MP for Suffolk Coastal, who was recently replaced as Environment Secretary by Rishi Sunak, shared her experience during an interview with BBC radio. Coffey explained that around five years ago, she became so ill from the pressures of her ministerial life that she was hospitalized for a month. Despite the ordeal, she has since learned valuable lessons and maintains a positive outlook on life.

Life-Threatening Stress

During her interview with BBC radio, Therese Coffey revealed the severity of the health issues she faced as a result of her ministerial role. She disclosed, "It was nearly five years ago I got so ill I nearly, dare I say it, died." Coffey explained that she spent a month in the hospital, grappling with the stresses that come with the responsibilities of being in government. She acknowledged that she had pushed herself too hard in the past but stressed that she has since gained valuable insights from the experience.

A Journey of Growth

Therese Coffey has been serving as a Member of Parliament since 2010 and has held various positions during her political career. Before entering politics, she worked for Mars Incorporated and the BBC. Coffey was previously deputy Commons leader and served as Minister for the Environment under former Prime Minister Theresa May. In 2019, she was appointed as the Work and Pensions Secretary by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Most recently, she was named Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister by Liz Truss before being replaced by Rishi Sunak as Environment Secretary in 2022.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Coffey remains resilient and optimistic. She shared, "A few years ago I certainly worked myself into the ground somewhat, but I learned a lot from that incident and that’s why I’ve always had a joy about life." Her journey serves as a reminder of the immense pressures faced by those in government roles and the importance of self-care and mental well-being.