Ms. Prime Minister analyzes media portrayals of the four female prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, arguing that these women's legitimacy as political actors was sometimes affirmed, but as often questioned, by the news coverage they received.

1Introduction: gender, media, and leadership -- 2 Ascension stories -- 3 First women and the X factor -- 4 First men and the family strategy -- 5 Body politics -- 6 Love and war -- 7 Speech and shame -- 8 Conclusion: dealing (with) the gender card.