After holding several cabinet positions, Major was elected to replace Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister and party leader.[3] On taking office, he saw British action in the Gulf War (1991) and his party's narrow re-election in the 1992 general election.
Major married Norma Johnson (now (Dame) Norma MajorDBE) on 3 October 1970. She was a teacher, and a member of the Young Conservatives. They became engaged after only ten days.[4] They have two children; a son, James, and a daughter, Elizabeth. They have a holiday home on the coast of north Norfolk, near Weybourne.[5]