Who is Matthew Barrett? All you need to know about Leo Varadkar's partner

The Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader's partner profiled

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been on every Irish citizens' radar recently, providing updates on the country's progress combatting the coronavirus.

As Taoiseach, Varadkar is one-of-a-kind as Ireland's first openly gay leader.

He's often photographed with his partner, Matthew Barrett, who is also a doctor by profession.

But who is Matthew Barrett?

We profile the Fine Gael leader's other half below.

Education and Career

Barrett graduated from UCD School of Medicine in 2009 and completed his MRCPI in 2011.

After completing his specialist registrar training in clinical cardiology 2016, he began working as a UCD and RCPI lecturer in clinical cardiology.

He also practiced as a clinical heart failure registrar with the St. Vincent’s Hospital Group as well and took a clinical liaison role with a medical technology firm developing devices for use in heart failure management.

After working as a lecturer he completed a fellowship in Chicago, where he now works as a Cardiologist.

He and Varadkar keep in contact via Facetime.

Barrett's parents were primary school teachers and encouraged him to speak Irish at home, he revealed in an interview he did for TG4.

Family life and partner

Although he lives in Chicago, Barrett has been in a serious relationship with Varadkar for five years.

They have gone on holidays together, met each other’s families and shared a joint birthday party.

Varadkar celebrated his 38th birthday party at Dublin bar Hacienda alongside Barrett and his friends and family.

They are unmarried and currently don't have any children. They prefer to keep their relationship private and out of the public eye.

However, during his campaign for Taoiseach Varadkar told a newspaper: “Matt is just a very special person.

"Someone who is unconditionally on my side, which is always great.

“He is the kind of person who has made me a better person.

“Matt is definitely cleverer than me, which occasionally I can find intimidating.

“He is very, very intelligent. He can read faster than me. He can do calculations faster than me. He is very bright. He is a Gaeilgeoir as well.

“And although he is not really party political, it is amazing how quickly he understands politics. He gets it really quickly.”

Barrett also admitted in an interview with TG4 that he has been helping Varadkar with his Irish since becoming Taoiseach and they often speak it while they're on holiday.