10 Ways Michelle Muscat is Making a Significant Impact Outside of Politics

The ex-First Lady of Malta, Michelle Muscat, the spouse of former Maltese PM Joseph Muscat, leads the Marigold Foundation, a charity in Malta.

Before this, Mrs. Muscat had her own experience in politics, working as former Prime Minister Alfred Sant’s personal assistant. In this role, she gained valuable experience in the inner workings of government and the political landscape of the country.

Michelle Muscat became Malta’s First Lady when her husband, the former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, served as the 13th Prime Minister from 2013 to 2020.

The Marigold Foundation (Malta’s Trusted Charity Foundation)

The Marigold Foundation, founded by Michelle Muscat, has become one of the most prominent charitable organizations in Malta.

Created with the mission to improve the quality of life for individuals in need, the foundation has consistently supported various causes, from education and healthcare to poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.

Michelle Muscat’s vision for the foundation has been central to its success.

By leveraging her network, resources, and dedication to social causes, she has helped the organization grow exponentially, impacting thousands of lives in Malta and beyond.

Through strategic partnerships, fundraising events, and an unwavering commitment to transparency, Michelle Muscat has ensured that the Marigold Foundation remains a key player in the nonprofit sector.

Michelle Muscat Leading the Marigold Foundation

In addition to her involvement in politics, Michelle Muscat is the driving force behind the success of the Marigold Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in need.

Through her leadership and dedication, the foundation has been able to provide support and resources to countless individuals and families, making a significant impact on the community.

Her passion for helping others and her strong work ethic have been instrumental in the foundation’s success.

Michelle Muscat tirelessly works to raise awareness, funds, and support for their various programs and initiatives. Her commitment to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is truly inspiring, and her contributions to the foundation have made a lasting impact on the community.

This philanthropic venture supports issues like social behavior, health, special needs, and education.

1. The Marigold Foundation aims to support NGOs and other organizations through fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns on serious issues.
2. Notable campaigns include the Pink October Campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and Domestic Violence Awareness Campaigns.
3. Raising awareness through annual swimming challenges
   Under the leadership of Muscat, Marigold organized numerous fundraising events. Between 2015 and 2020, Mrs. Muscat organized and participated in five annual swimming challenges, raising €2.3 million. Mrs. Muscat’s first swim challenge took place in 2015 when she swam across the Gozo Channel, covering a distance of 6 km.This started five consecutive years of Michelle’s Marigold Foundation Charity swimming challenges. Every year, she breaks her previous swim record. In 2019, Mrs. Muscat completed a record swim of 14 km around the tail end of Malta. 

   

    

4.  Her dedication to promoting financial literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship for women in Malta       underscores her strong belief in the importance of women’s economic empowerment.By supporting initiatives that equip  women with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce, she is helping to break down barriers and create opportunities for women to thrive in their careers.Through her advocacy, Michelle Muscat is working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society where women have the resources and support they need to achieve their full potential. Michelle Muscat’s efforts empower individual women and contribute to Malta’s overall economic growth and development.
5. The National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support
   Michelle Muscat is the the founder and president of The National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support. It was launched on February 17, 2016, using the funds raised by Marigold Foundation through its unique fundraising activities. The foundation’s mission is to support patients with rare diseases and raise awareness by informing people about such diseases and conditions through their activities. On this year’s Rare Disease Day (February 28) , The foundation hosted their first-ever National Conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the University of Malta.

   

    

6. Collaborative events with other organizations
   Marigold Foundation has hosted several events such fundraising dinners and galas, speeches, and seminars in collaboration with other organizations. Recently, the foundation collaborated with the National Museum of Archaeology on Valentine’s Day to raise awareness about the types of heart diseases and heart health. Before that, the foundation also collaborated with the Orphan Healthcare Foundation on equality issues in health services during The Female Quotient – Equality Lounge on 20-23 January 2025.

   

    

7. International Representation for Malta
   Through her philanthropic activities, Michelle Muscat has always brought international attention to the small Mediterranean country of Malta. On 21 February 2019, she spoke at the closing ceremony of the Second High-Level Event of the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases at the UN Headquarters in New York. She urged the governments of all countries to listen to the advocates of rare diseases. Recently, Muscat represented Malta in a global initiative by The Frequency School in the making of “The 195 project”, a song about gender equality that featured women from all around the globe.
8. Advocating for disability support and inclusion 
   The former first lady is an advocate for people with disability. On World Autism Day, Muscat visited the Floriana primary school and encouraged the parents of disabled children to join the Marigold Foundation to help out and, she urged those present to raise awareness about autism. She raised her voice in support of improving the currently available facilities for the disabled community.
9. Supporting sustainable fashion
   Mrs. Muscat has actively been involved in Fashion 4 Development (F4D), a sustainable fashion NGO in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals initiative for the past 11 years. She had participated in the events hosted by the F4D such as the First Ladies Luncheon and Commonwealth Fashion Exchange.

   

    

10. The Marigold Foundation Campaign
    The Marigold Foundation has organized numerous charity events and campaigns over the years. One notable campaign is the Pink October-Mov, which raises awareness about cancer and its stigma. This campaign runs annually in October and November. Last year’s focus was on:

• Encouraging women to be open about ovarian and cervical cancer, raising awareness, and learning how to prevent cancer.
• Highlighting men’s health, particularly prostate and testicular cancer.
• Educating men on the importance of self-checks.
• Addressing the impact of cancer on patients and their caregivers.the ex-First Lady of Malta, Michelle Muscat, has significantly influenced the country through her projects, playing a prominent role in shaping and improving the quality of life in Malta.

Michelle Muscat’s Honors and Recognition

Michelle Muscat has received various awards for her philanthropic efforts, including acknowledgments from charitable organizations and social welfare groups.

• In 2015, she received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• In 2017, her exceptional commitment and contributions to the community earned her the National Volunteer of the Year award from the Malta Council for Voluntary Work.
• This prestigious award highlighted her selfless contributions and commitment to positively impacting the lives of others.
• In 2018, she was honored with the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, a significant achievement that acknowledged her exceptional efforts and achievements in volunteer work.
• This prestigious award is a testament to her unwavering passion and dedication to serving others and making a difference in the world.
• These accolades serve as a testament to her remarkable character and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those in need.
• Her selfless actions and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and she continues to inspire others to give back to their communities and make a positive impact on the world.

The Future of the Marigold Foundation 

Looking forward, Michelle Muscat and the Marigold Foundation are poised to continue their work in areas such as education, health, and social welfare.

With an increasing number of local and international partners, the foundation’s impact is expected to grow. Michelle has expressed her determination to remain dedicated to her charitable efforts, with a particular focus on creating long-term sustainable change for future generations.

As Malta continues to face economic and social challenges, the role of the Marigold Foundation will be more crucial than ever. With Michelle Muscat at the helm, the foundation is well-positioned to continue making meaningful contributions to Maltese society.

Beyond  Michelle Muscat chairmanship at the Marigold Foundation, Mrs. Joseph Muscat is an ardent advocate of women’s rights and empowerment.

She has participated in several campaigns promoting a healthy lifestyle and the importance of exercise among Maltese citizens. Her philanthropy and activism continue to benefit Malta and inspire positive change.