Mario Calleja

Mario Calleja was born on 6 September 1957. Having attended Tarxien’s primary school, he received a scholarship and graduated at a church school in Dingli – the Savio College. Upon completing his studies, he worked in the tourism sector for four years and then went on for a working experience in the United Kingdom.

On his arrival from the UK he decided to join the Malta Police Force in February 1979 as a constable. Soon promoted into a Sergeant, in 1987 he became an Inspector.

He gained a lot of experience and resolved some severe criminal cases, before terminating his services as a Police Prosecutor at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1992. Subsequently, he has worked as a Private Investigator with all insurance brokers in Malta.

After a successful managerial career in the tourism sector in the north part of the Island, he returned to the security sector, by opening a private security firm. He was also a member of the Police Academy Board and used to teach courses related to the Local Government Legislation and Procedure.

His interest in politics started long ago, yet his first attempt in the Local Council elections was only in 2006. Surprisingly, he received the highest number of votes, hence he became a Mayor. Re-elected again in 2009, in 2013 and in 2019, he has also contested the General Election in 2013 in the fifth district and gained a respectable number of votes.

Back in 2009 Marsaskala joined the Douzelage Town Twinning Organisation. Douzelage’s aim was to bridge the gap between Marsaskala and other municipalities throughout the European Union countries. Mario Calleja's efforts were noticed by this organisation and a year later he was elected its Vice President for two consecutive terms. 

Apart from his political career, he is passionate about helping people with limited financial capacity and vulnerable people. He succeeded in raising €26,000 in funds and donated them to Fr Giovanni Cefai, a Maltese missionary in order to purchase a transport Van for the elderly in the indigent village of Arequipa in Peru.

Concerning his private life, he is a father of three children and a grandfather of six. After the cancellation of his marriage by both the Civil Courts and the Church, he got married again to Mary Grace. His wife herself has two sons. Mayor Calleja and his wife Mary Grace are members of the Order of St Lazzarus of Jerusalem.