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Who is Jim Dornan's wife Samina? 'Fifty Shades' actor Jamie Dornan's father dies after COVID-19 battle at 73

Samina Dornan decided not to have any children of her own after Jim was diagnosed with leukemia

Jim Dornan, a leading gynecologist from Northern Ireland, recognized as the father of actor Jamie Dornan, died on March 15, 2021, after being affected by COVID-19. He was earlier diagnosed with leukemia over 15 years ago. He beat cancer at the time but the diagnosis affected his lungs badly. It is believed that his ailing lungs led to his intense struggle with COVID-19.  

Jim Dornan is survived by his wife Samina, who is a devoted stepmother to Jamie Dornan and his sisters Jessica and Liesa. Samina is also a renowned gynecologist and famous as a feminist icon — who is a staunch advocate of abortion rights in Northern Ireland. 

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Who was Jim Dornan?

Born on February 5, 1948, Jim Dornan was a former professor of fetal medicine at Queen's University Belfast from 1995 to 2012. He also served as the senior vice-president of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for two years from 2004 to 2006. He was revered in Northern Ireland as "the baby doctor". 

Hailing from Holywood, County Down in Northern Ireland, Jim was born to an accountant father, while his mother was the first Occupational Therapist in Northern Ireland. After attending Bangor Grammar School, as listed on his Facebook profile, Dornan pursued his study of medicine from Queen's University Belfast, where he later became a lecturer himself. 

It is interesting to note that the father of Jamie Dornan had once considered acting as a career choice for himself. In fact, he had even made guest appearances in the ITV drama 'Marcella' and co-starred with his son Jamie in the series 'The Fall', where he played a policeman.

However, in the end, Jim Dornan carried on his path as a doctor and achieved stupendous success. He specialized in subjects like fetal breathing and fetal wellbeing. Aside from offering his experienced insights at various Global Health initiatives, Dornan was also a strong supporter of abortion rights in Ireland. 

In his youth, he was married to Lorna Dornan, the mother of Jamie, Jessica, and Liesa Dornan. However, in 1998, she passed away untimely after a tragic battle with pancreatic cancer. Later, he married his second wife — celebrated gynecologist Samina Dornan. 

Who is Samina Dornan?

Dr Samina Mahsud-Dornan works as a gynecologist at King's College Hospital. She is of half-Persian and half-Afghan descent and went to finishing school in the Murree Mountains of Pakistan. She is a well-reckoned face in the movement for the legalization of abortion in Northern Ireland.

In fact, she even starred in the BBC documentary 'Abortion: Ireland's Guilty Secret?'

Unknown to many, it was Samina Dornan who performed the first scan of Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner's first child, who is her step-grandchild. She worked as a consultant Sub-Specialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine based in the Regional Unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital.

Samina first met Jim Dornan when she was working in Cork as a newly qualified doctor and he was a senior obstetrician and gynecologist at Royal Victoria Hospital. The two met during one of his speeches in Dublin and soon fell in love. Meanwhile, Jim also assisted in organizing her research at Queen's University, reports Ulster Tatler. 

The couple got married in a beautiful ceremony in Clandeboye Courtyard. When Jim was diagnosed with leukemia, it was a hard time for Samina since her father was also diagnosed with leukemia around the same time. That was the time when Samina took the tough yet powerful decision to not have children of her own.

She is content now with her step-children and their families. As a matter of fact, it was Samina who in a way helped launch Jamie Dornan's acting career, as she financially supported him for six months after he dropped out of university to pursue a career in acting. 

‘Rest easy big man’

Following Jim Dornan's demise, social media was flooded with condolence messages for his family, while well-wishers and acquaintances shared their good memories with him.

"It is with much sadness that I am writing that Professor Jim Dornan has died. Hard to accept that someone with so much life, wit, and full of advice and laughter has left this world. A true friend. Thoughts are with his family and medical friends around the world. RIP Jim," wrote a user. Another tweeted, "The great Prof Jim Dornan. One of a kind. His glass brimmed over. A true visionary. Early 90’s he saw the benefit that Clinical Psychology could bring to the women in RMJH & made it happen. My friend. RIP. Love to Samina, Liesa, Jess & Jamie."

He was also remembered by his former patients and families, whom he helped with the birth of their children. "So sad to hear about the passing of Prof Jim Dornan. He helped my wife get our 3 daughters safely into this world. Will be forever grateful. (Will never forget him keeping things light in the delivery suite, by working while talking about Stormont, and Man Utd. What a pro.)," reminisced BBC reporter Mark Simpson. 

His former colleague Deirdre Heenan wrote, "So shocked to learn of death Professor Jim Dornan. Devastating news. We were working together on a cross-border health project and he was full of great ideas and determined to make positive change. Thoughts are with his family and friends RIP Jim. Rest easy big man."

Catch some pictures from her Instagram handle @drsaminadornan here: