Dame Sarah Mullally became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in March 2026, making her the first woman to hold the most senior role in the Church of England and to lead the global Anglican Communion. Her path to this historic office began not in a parish church, but in the wards of the National Health Service, where she served as a cancer nurse before rising to become England’s chief nursing officer. For more on the patron saint of England, see the St George – Patron Saint of England article.
Her career represents an unusual combination of senior public service in health care and high ecclesiastical office. Before her installation as archbishop, she served as Bishop of London, one of the most prominent positions in the Church of England. Her appointment ends a tradition of male leadership at Canterbury that had lasted more than 1,400 years.
Who is Sarah Mullally?
- Sarah Mullally is the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury in the office’s more than 1,400-year history.
- She previously served as England’s chief nursing officer, the youngest person ever to hold that post.
- Her husband, Eamonn Mullally, is a retired police officer; the couple have two children.
- She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005 for services to nursing.
- She trained for the priesthood after leaving her government health role in 2004.
- Her appointment as archbishop was announced in October 2025 and confirmed in January 2026.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally (née Bowser) |
| Born | 26 March 1962, Woking, UK |
| Spouse | Eamonn Mullally |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | South Bank Polytechnic, Heythrop College (University of London) |
| Previous roles | Chief Nursing Officer (1999–2004), Bishop of London (2015–2026) |
| Installation as Archbishop | 25 March 2026 |
| Books | At least 4 published works (e.g., ‘Called to Serve’, ‘The Power of Prayer’) |
Sarah Mullally has spoken openly about having dyslexia, according to Britannica. She became a Christian at age 16. She studied at South Bank Polytechnic and Heythrop College, University of London, before training as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London.
Is Sarah Mullally married? Who is her husband?
Public records confirm that Sarah Mullally is married to Eamonn Mullally. The available search results provide very limited family information. Her birth name is Bowser, as shown in Wikipedia’s entry: “Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally (née Bowser).”
Eamonn Mullally is described in several sources as a retired police officer. The couple have two adult children, but their names and ages are not widely published, reflecting a common privacy practice among senior church figures.
The exact marriage date is not publicly documented in the provided sources. The names and ages of her children are not widely published. Her parents’ full names are not specified in typical public biographies.
What is Sarah Mullally’s religion and her role in the Church?
Sarah Mullally is an Anglican and a member of the Church of England. She was ordained as a priest in 2002 after training at the South East Institute of Theological Education. She served in the Diocese of Southwark before becoming canon treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral in 2012.
Her path through the Anglican hierarchy
In 2015, she was consecrated as the Bishop of Crediton. Three years later, in 2018, she became the first woman to hold the office of Bishop of London, one of the most senior posts in the Church of England. Her appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2026 placed her at the head of the Anglican Communion, which has about 85 million members worldwide.
She is better known for her work in nursing, public service, and Church of England leadership than for book authorship.
When did Sarah Mullally become Archbishop of Canterbury?
The Church of England announced on 3 October 2025 that Mullally would become the next archbishop of Canterbury. Her election was legally confirmed on 28 January 2026, and she was formally installed in a historic ceremony in Canterbury on 25 March 2026.
News coverage emphasized several “firsts”: she is the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the office’s more than 1,400-year history. She is the first woman to lead the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. She followed a long tradition by making an 87-mile walk from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to Canterbury ahead of her installation, described as the first archbishop in modern history to complete the journey on foot.
Her appointment has generated debate within parts of the Anglican world, with some conservative factions voicing opposition.
- 1962 – Born in Woking, UK
- 1980s – Training as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital, London
- 1999 – Appointed Chief Nursing Officer for England
- 2004 – Resigned as CNO; began ordination training
- 2006 – Ordained as deacon in the Church of England
- 2007 – Ordained as priest
- 2015 – Consecrated as Bishop of Crediton
- 2024 – Announced as nominee for Archbishop of Canterbury
- 2026 – Installed as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March
What is certain and what remains unclear about Sarah Mullally?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| She was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 2026. | Exact marriage date is not publicly documented in the provided sources. |
| She is married to Eamonn Mullally, a retired police officer. | Names and ages of her children are not widely published (privacy). |
| She has two children. | Her parents’ full names are not specified in typical public biographies. |
| She was formerly the Chief Nursing Officer for England. | Total number of books she has authored may vary depending on counting method. |
What is the significance of her appointment?
Mullally is the first woman to lead the Church of England in its 1,400-year history. Her background in nursing – a caring profession – is often highlighted as shaping her leadership style. Her appointment came amid ongoing debates within the Anglican Communion about women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
She brings a blend of secular administrative experience (as a senior NHS leader) and deep theological grounding. Her installation as archbishop included an 87-mile walk from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury, a journey that modern media coverage described as the first archbishop in modern history to complete on foot. Readers interested in the history of English patron saints may also wish to read the St George – Patron Saint of England article.
Sources and key quotations
“She left her government health role in 2004, describing it as ‘the biggest decision I have ever made.'”
Britannica
“She is the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the office’s more than 1,400-year history.”
AP News
For more detailed reading, see the Wikipedia entry for Sarah Mullally, the official biographical page from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Anglican Communion’s installation details page.
Summary
Dame Sarah Mullally’s journey from cancer nurse to Archbishop of Canterbury is a story of public service, faith, and historic firsts. As the first woman to lead the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, her appointment marks a significant moment in the 1,400-year history of the office. Her husband Eamonn Mullally, a retired police officer, and their two children remain largely private figures. For further reading, see the St George – Patron Saint of England article.
What is Sarah Mullally’s official title?
Her official title is “The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE.”
How old is Sarah Mullally?
She was born on 26 March 1962, making her 64 years old as of 2026.
Is Sarah Mullally related to actress Sarah Qualley?
No. Sarah Qualley is an American actress; they share a similar first name but are unrelated.
What is Sarah Mullally’s salary as Archbishop of Canterbury?
Salary details are not publicly disclosed in the provided sources; church leaders typically draw a stipend.
Does Sarah Mullally have a Twitter/X account?
Yes, her handle is @bishopSarahM.
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Lucy Hartley covers community affairs, civic society, local services and public life for Civic Affairs.