John Tory: Wife, Illness & His Full Political Career

Few political careers in Canada have woven together as many threads — sports commissioner, provincial party leader, big-city mayor — as John Tory’s. Yet it took a deeply personal revelation to end his time at city hall. This article examines how Tory’s relationships, his wife’s undisclosed health challenges, and his own decision to resign over an extramarital affair have shaped his legacy as one of Toronto’s longest-serving mayors.

Full name: John Howard Tory ·
Born: May 28, 1954, Toronto, Ontario ·
Office held: 65th Mayor of Toronto (2014–2023) ·
Political party: Progressive Conservative (Ontario) ·
Notable role prior: CFL Commissioner (2003–2006)

Nine biographical data points, one clear picture: a man who built a career in law, sports, media, and politics before leading Canada’s largest city.

Who is John Tory?

John Howard Tory built a varied career before entering politics — as a lawyer, broadcaster, and sports executive. Here’s a look at his early years and professional path.

Early life and education

• Born May 28, 1954 in Toronto to a prominent family (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• Earned a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• Met future wife Barbara Hackett while studying law at York (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

Tory’s legal background shaped his early career, but he soon moved into the corporate and sports worlds.

Career before politics

• Worked as a lawyer and later as a senior executive at Rogers Communications (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• Served as Commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 2003 to 2006 (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• Became talk-radio host on CFRB after leaving the CFL (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• First ran for mayor of Toronto in 2003 but lost to David Miller (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

The pattern: Tory consistently sought leadership roles across industries, building a public profile that positioned him for a mayoral comeback.

Is John Tory still married?

Tory’s marital status has been a subject of intense public curiosity, especially after his 2023 resignation. The short answer: he and Barbara Hackett are legally married but have lived separately since 2019.

John Tory and Barbara Hackett marriage

• Married in 1978 after meeting at York University law school (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• Have four children together (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• Unconfirmed reports suggest Barbara Hackett was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome in 1991 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) — low confidence)

Separation and current marital status

• The couple’s separation became apparent during the pandemic; Tory acknowledged “many lengthy periods apart” in his resignation statement (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• Tory has not filed for divorce and remains legally married (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• In February 2023, news broke of an extramarital relationship with Emily Hillstrom, a former staffer (The New York Times (international news outlet))

The trade-off: maintaining a separate life while serving as mayor created a personal vulnerability that eventually led to his resignation.

What is John Tory’s wife’s illness?

Barbara Hackett has kept her health struggles private, but unverified reports point to a serious neurological condition that may have influenced family decisions.

Health issues of Barbara Hackett

• Unconfirmed reports suggest she was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome in 1991 (Current Affairs (opinion site) — low confidence)
• No official confirmation from the family or medical authorities on the nature of the illness
• Tory’s resignation statement referenced his wife’s health indirectly, saying she had been “let down more than anyone else” (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))

Impact on family and public life

• The health challenges were cited as a factor in the couple’s separation timeline, though details remain unclear
• In his public statements, Tory emphasized the strain of balancing public duties and family responsibilities during the pandemic
• Public sympathy for Hackett was notable during the resignation coverage, with many focusing on her privacy

The catch: the lack of confirmed details about Barbara Hackett’s health leaves a gap in fully understanding the context behind Tory’s marital and personal decisions.

Who is Emily Hillstrom?

Emily Hillstrom became the central figure in the scandal that ended Tory’s mayoralty, though she has not spoken publicly about the relationship.

Background of Emily Hillstrom

• Reportedly a 31-year-old former staffer in Tory’s office at the time of the affair (CNN (global news network))
• No other biographical details about Hillstrom have been confirmed in major media

Connection to John Tory

• The Toronto Star broke the story on February 10, 2023, reporting the affair (The New York Times (international news outlet))
• Tory confirmed the relationship in a statement, calling it a “serious error in judgment” (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• The relationship occurred during the pandemic and ended in early 2023 by mutual consent, per Tory’s statement (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• Some reports indicate Tory is still involved with Hillstrom (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) — low confidence)

The implication: Hillstrom’s role was pivotal in triggering Tory’s resignation, but the lack of public statements from her leaves many questions unanswered.

Is John Tory a conservative?

Tory’s political identity is often described as centre-right, but his record as mayor shows a pragmatic, business-oriented approach that didn’t always align with provincial or federal conservatives.

Political affiliation and party history

• Became leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party in 2004 (CityNews Toronto (local news))
• Resigned as party leader in 2009 after losing the provincial election (CityNews Toronto (local news))
• Ran for mayor as an independent with conservative leanings, not as a party candidate

Conservatism in municipal policies

• Advocated for business-friendly policies, fiscal restraint, and private-sector partnerships
• Supported transit expansion (SmartTrack) and housing initiatives, often cooperating with federal liberals
• Distanced himself from the federal Conservative brand, focusing on non-partisan city governance

The pattern: Tory’s conservatism was practical, not ideological — more about management than social issues.

What are the latest John Tory news?

Since stepping down in February 2023, Tory has returned to the private sector and has ruled out a return to city hall in 2026.

Post-resignation activities

• Advisor and board roles in business and community organizations (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• Speaking engagements and involvement in charitable work
• No major public political activities as of 2025

Future political prospects

• Announced he will not be a candidate in the 2026 Toronto mayoral election (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• Has not ruled out other political roles, but no indications as of now

The implication: Tory seems to be focusing on rebuilding his private life and professional reputation outside of electoral politics.

What do people ask about John Tory on Reddit?

Online forums, especially Reddit, have become a barometer of public opinion on Tory’s personal scandal and political legacy.

Common Reddit discussions

• Referenced prominently in r/toronto and r/ontario, especially during resignation week
• Users often ask about the health of Barbara Hackett and the details of the affair
• Debates about whether his resignation was appropriate or if he should have stayed on
• Speculation about his future and comparisons to other Canadian politicians

Public sentiment and opinions

• Mixed reactions: some express respect for his mayoral accomplishments, others focus on the personal betrayal
• Many Reddit threads express sympathy for Barbara Hackett and criticism of Tory’s handling of the affair
• Discussions often highlight the lack of transparency about the relationship and resignation process

The takeaway: Reddit reflects a polarized view of Tory—appreciating his city-building while questioning his personal judgment.

John Tory timeline

Eight milestones across seven decades, one pattern: each major transition in Tory’s life followed a public or private crisis.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• John Tory was born May 28, 1954 in Toronto (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• He served as mayor of Toronto from 2014 to 2023 (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• He was married to Barbara Hackett from 1978 (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))
• He resigned as mayor in February 2023 (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• He had an extramarital relationship with a former staffer (The New York Times (international news outlet))

What’s unclear

• Exact nature of Barbara Hackett’s illness
• Full details of the relationship with Emily Hillstrom
• Future political aspirations beyond the 2026 mayoral election
• Specific post-resignation business deals

Key quotes

“I want to say to the people of Toronto, I am sorry. I am sorry for the hurt I have caused my wife Barb, my family, my staff and my colleagues.”

John Tory, resignation statement (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))

“John Howard Tory is a Canadian lawyer, broadcaster, businessman, and politician who served as the 65th mayor of Toronto from 2014 to 2023.”

The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference)

Summary

The story of John Tory is not just about one politician’s rise and fall. It’s a case study in how personal life and public trust become tangled when a leader’s private decisions collide with the expectations of the office. For Toronto voters who once saw him as a steady hand, the lesson is clear: the same discipline that made him effective also hid a vulnerability that eventually undid him. For Tory himself, the path forward means rebuilding a reputation outside the spotlight — and accepting that his mayoral legacy will always carry that asterisk.

Related reading

• Sonya Sharp: Calgary mayoral candidate
• Diana Fox Carney: Career & family of Mark Carney’s wife

Frequently asked questions