Edward Michael Balls was born on 25 February 1967 in Norwich, England, and served as the Labour MP for Morley and Outwood from 2005 until 2015. He held senior cabinet roles as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (2007–2010) and later as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2011–2015). Since losing his parliamentary seat in the 2015 general election, he has not returned to elected office and is no longer active in party politics.
- He transitioned from high-level government to broadcasting and academia, a path few former politicians take.
- His net worth is not officially published, but income streams from media, speaking engagements, and academic posts offer a rough picture.
- The Ed Balls Day meme began in 2011 after an unscripted moment in the House of Commons went viral.
- Though no longer an MP, he remains influential through his work on Good Morning Britain, his podcast with George Osborne, and his role at the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
- He is professor of political economy at King’s College London and a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
- His wife, Yvette Cooper, is the current Shadow Home Secretary, making them one of the most prominent political couples in Britain.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edward Michael Balls |
| Born | 25 February 1967, Norwich, England |
| Political Party | Labour (Co-op) |
| Parliamentary Seat | Morley and Outwood (2005–2015) |
| Spouse | Yvette Cooper MP (married 1998) |
| Children | Three |
| Current Roles | Broadcaster (Good Morning Britain), Professor at King’s College London, Co-Chair UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation |
| Notable Meme | Ed Balls Day (28 April) |
| Net Worth | Not officially disclosed; estimated from known earnings |
What is Ed Balls’ Net Worth?
No official net worth figure for Ed Balls has ever been made public. Available sources do not provide a verified number, and any estimate remains speculative. His income is understood to come from several streams: past ministerial and parliamentary salaries, his current academic roles, broadcasting work with ITV and the BBC, paid speaking engagements, and the podcast Political Currency, which he co-hosts with former chancellor George Osborne.
How much does he earn from broadcasting?
Balls appears regularly as a co-host on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Mondays to Wednesdays and also contributes to BBC programmes such as The One Show, Radio 2, and Radio 4. Industry estimates for on-air talent at his level often range between £100,000 and £200,000 per year, though these figures are not confirmed by any official disclosure.
Does he have a book deal?
There is no public record of a current book deal. Balls has focused instead on television series, including Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls (BBC, 2018) and Travels in Euroland with Ed Balls (BBC Two, 2020), as well as the documentary What Britain Buys and Sells in a Day (BBC, 2019).
His salary as a professor of political economy at King’s College London and his fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School, combined with broadcasting fees and speaking engagements, suggest a comfortable but undisclosed total. No source has ever published a verified net worth figure.
Who is Ed Balls’ Wife?
Ed Balls has been married to Yvette Cooper MP since 1998. Cooper is a senior Labour politician who currently serves as Shadow Home Secretary. The couple met through the Labour Party and have worked alongside each other in government for many years. Cooper held cabinet roles under Gordon Brown, including Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and was a leadership contender in 2015.
Do Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper have children together?
Yes. They have three children. Their daughter Ellie is the eldest; they also have two sons, Joe and a younger son. The family divides their time between London and Castleford, according to Balls’ official website.
What is Ed Balls’ religion?
Ed Balls has not publicly stated his religion. Some observers have speculated about a possible Jewish faith because of his work as co-chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, but no confirmation exists. Public records and interviews do not address the subject.
There is no reliable evidence about Ed Balls’ personal religious beliefs. His involvement in Holocaust memorial projects is a matter of public service, not necessarily an indicator of faith.
What is Ed Balls Day?
Ed Balls Day is an internet meme that celebrates a moment from April 28, 2011, when Ed Balls inadvertently said his own name during a House of Commons debate. The phrase “Ed Balls” caused a brief wave of laughter in the chamber and later became a viral joke on social media platforms such as Twitter. The date is marked each year by users posting the words “Ed Balls” in acknowledgment of the gaffe.
How did Ed Balls Day start?
The meme originated entirely from that single parliamentary slip. There was no organised campaign; it spread organically as a piece of internet humour. In 2016, Balls further cemented his place in popular culture by appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, where his determined, fall-strewn performance earned him a BAFTA nomination for TV Moment of the Year. The two events are sometimes conflated, but Ed Balls Day predates his dance-floor appearance by five years.
Where Does Ed Balls Live?
Ed Balls divides his time between London and Castleford, West Yorkshire. He represented a Yorkshire constituency during his parliamentary career and has maintained ties to the area. There is no verified connection to Manchester; the occasional online reference to “Ed Balls Manchester” appears to be a misattribution or confusion with another public figure.
Where is Ed Balls from originally?
He was born in Norwich, Norfolk, and attended schools in Norwich and Nottingham. After studying at Oxford and Harvard, he moved into journalism and then into the Treasury, eventually settling in London and Yorkshire for his political career.
What Does Ed Balls Do Now?
Since leaving Parliament, Ed Balls has built a second career as a broadcaster, academic, and public servant. He is a regular co-host on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and presents the weekly podcast Political Currency alongside George Osborne. He holds the position of Professor of Political Economy at King’s College London and is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. He also serves as Co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, a government appointment that reflects continued public service outside party politics.
Does Ed Balls teach at King’s College London?
Yes. He is a professor in the Strand Group at King’s College London, focusing on political economy. He also holds a Senior Visiting Fellowship at the London School of Economics and has published papers on central banking after the financial crisis and on Brexit.
Is Ed Balls still a politician?
No. He left Parliament in 2015 and is not currently a member of any political party’s frontbench. His government role as Co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation is a non-partisan appointment.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1967 – Born in Norwich, Norfolk.
- 1988 – Graduates with a first-class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Keble College, Oxford.
- 1994 – Becomes economic adviser to Gordon Brown.
- 1999 – Appointed Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury; helps design Bank of England independence and the UK Fiscal Code.
- 2005 – Elected Labour MP for Morley and Outwood.
- 2007 – Appointed Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
- 2011 – Becomes Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer; Ed Balls Day meme originates from a parliamentary slip.
- 2015 – Loses his seat in the general election.
- 2016 – Appears on Strictly Come Dancing; receives a BAFTA nomination for TV Moment of the Year.
- 2017 – Appointed Professor of Political Economy at King’s College London.
- 2019 – Becomes Co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
- 2020 – Joins Good Morning Britain as a regular contributor.
What is Confirmed, and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 25 Feb 1967 in Norwich; first-class PPE from Oxford. | Net worth: No official figure; estimates are speculative. |
| Married to Yvette Cooper since 1998; three children. | Religion: Not publicly stated; no confirmation available. |
| Ed Balls Day originates from a 2011 parliamentary gaffe on 28 April. | Manchester connection: No verified link; likely a misattribution. |
| Left Parliament in 2015; not currently an MP. | Income details: Broadcasting and academic salaries are not disclosed. |
| Co-Chair of UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation (government appointment). | No return to elected politics has been indicated or ruled out. |
Context: The Broader Picture
Ed Balls’ career illustrates a modern trajectory from high-level government to media punditry, using deep economic expertise gained at the Treasury. His marriage to Yvette Cooper makes them one of the most prominent political couples in Britain, both having served at cabinet level. The Ed Balls Day meme shows how a single unscripted moment can generate lasting internet culture, independent of a person’s subsequent career. His ongoing role with the Holocaust Memorial Foundation demonstrates a commitment to public service that extends beyond party affiliation.
Sources and Perspectives
“I loved being a politician, but I’m enjoying the freedom of being a broadcaster.”
Ed Balls, via edballs.co.uk
“Edward Michael Balls is a British broadcaster, economist and former politician.”
“Ed Balls is Co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.”
Summary: A Career Rebuilt Beyond Politics
Ed Balls has successfully reinvented himself after leaving frontline politics. He now combines broadcasting, academia, and public service in a portfolio that keeps him visible and influential. His net worth remains undisclosed, his family life is well-documented, and his unlikely role as the subject of a lasting internet meme has given him a cultural footprint that few former cabinet ministers achieve. He is not expected to return to elected politics, but his voice continues to shape public debate through television, radio, and his podcast. For a similarly detailed profile of another prominent broadcaster and former politician, see Andrew Neil – Full Biography and Career Timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ed Balls?
Ed Balls was born on 25 February 1967, making him 58 years old as of 2025.
What is Ed Balls’ daughter’s name?
His daughter with Yvette Cooper is named Ellie.
Is Ed Balls Jewish?
There is no public confirmation of his religion. His Holocaust memorial work does not necessarily indicate personal faith.
Why is it called Ed Balls Day?
It commemorates 28 April 2011, when he inadvertently said “Ed Balls” during a parliamentary debate, later becoming a viral meme.
Does Ed Balls still work for the Labour Party?
No. He left the frontbench in 2015 and is no longer an MP or active in party politics.
How many children does Ed Balls have?
He and Yvette Cooper have three children: a daughter and two sons.
What is Ed Balls’ connection to Norwich City FC?
He served as chairman of Norwich City Football Club and is now its vice-president.
Does Ed Balls have a podcast?
Yes, he co-hosts Political Currency with former chancellor George Osborne.
Where did Ed Balls go to university?
He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Keble College, Oxford, and later became a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University.
Is Ed Balls on social media?
Yes, he is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @edballs.
George Bennett is Senior Reporter at NewsPrism.co.uk, covering breaking news and general UK stories.