Former MI6 Chief Passed Away at 62: Sir Alex Younger KCMG was the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Britain’s foreign spy agency, from 2014 to 2020. He was a career intelligence officer for 30 years and became the longest-serving MI6 Chief in 50 years.
Who Was Alex Younger
Alex Younger was a British intelligence officer who served as the head of MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) for six years. He joined MI6 in 1991 and served in Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan as an operational case officer.
Cause of Death
Sir Alex Younger died at age 62 in Boston after battling prostate cancer, a diagnosis he received in 2025.
Was Alex Younger Part of MI6?
Yes. Alex Younger was a 30-year career intelligence officer in MI6. He served as:
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Director of Counter Terrorism (2009–2012)
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Head of Operations (2012–2014)
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Chief of MI6 (2014–2020)
Age
He was 62 years old at the time of his death in June 2026.
Children: Daughter & Son
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Sam Younger (son): A 22-year-old Edinburgh University student who died in an unexplained car crash on a Scottish estate in April 2019.
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He also has a daughter, whose name is not publicly disclosed due to security reasons.
Book
No specific book authored by Alex Younger is mentioned in available sources. He works as a speaker and can be booked through speaker bureaus like JLA and Chartwell Speakers.
Biography
Sir Alex Younger served 30 years in MI6, joining in 1991. Before MI6, he served as an infantry officer in the British Army. He was posted to Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan, and became the agency’s principal officer in Afghanistan. He spearheaded MI6’s counterterrorism efforts leading up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Wife
His wife’s name is not publicly disclosed for security reasons, which is typical for MI6 chiefs. Family details are kept private to protect intelligence operatives.
Career
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British Army: Infantry officer (pre-MI6)
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MI6 Officer (1991–2020): 30 years of service
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Director of Counter Terrorism (2009–2012)
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Head of Operations (2012–2014)
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Chief of MI6/”C” (2014–2020): He became the longest-serving chief in 50 years.
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Post-MI6: Corporate board roles and public speaking.
Education
St Andrews University (Scotland) – attended before joining the British Army.
Net Worth
Not publicly disclosed. Military and intelligence salaries are relatively low, though his post-MI6 roles likely included corporate board positions and public speaking fees.
Grand Children
Not publicly available information. He has a daughter and a son, Sam, who passed away in 2019.
