Officially, Downing Street has backed Dr Mowlam - insisting that she would keep her job, which included tackling drugs, despite admitting in January she had experimented with cannabis.
Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam has decided to quit politics - despite being the most popular member of the Blair government.
It is no surprise, however, to those who have followed her career in recent months that Dr Mowlam is turning her back on politics.
She has gone from the rising star of New Labour to being viewed by some in the government as a nuisance.
The post of Cabinet Office minister was not one she sought.
Indeed, after leaving Northern Ireland, having lost her battle to stay on as secretary of state, Dr Mowlam had hoped to become foreign office minister or health minister.
In headlines
Those close to her say she regarded the Cabinet Office post as a "non-job" and firmly resisted the alternative - standing for Mayor of London.
She also faced personal difficulties with the death of her mother, Tina, in December 1999, to whom she was particularly close. In the past year, Dr Mowlam has never been far from the headlines.
Shortly after she took up her new job, speculation began that she was going to quit politics and publish a book.
In January, reports appeared that the prime mInister was exasperated by Dr Mowlam's style.
A source close to the government was quoted as saying she had the popular touch of a Bill Clinton but lacked his ability to focus on policy detail.
Officially, Downing Street has backed Dr Mowlam - insisting that she would keep her job, which included tackling drugs, despite admitting in January she had experimented with cannabis.
Her behaviour begged the question: was the admission typical of Dr Mowlam's straight-talking style - or an attempt to goad her political bosses?
By the end of that month, it was revealed that Dr Mowlam's police minders had been removed, unheard of for a former secretary of state.
Questions were raised also about her intellectual rigour following her treatment for a benign brain tumour.
Still most popular
Dr Mowlam continued to court controversy by appearing on the Channel Four show, So Graham Norton - officiating at a the wedding of two dogs and telling a rather crude joke.
As the "whispering campaign" continued the prime minister insisted any suggestion he wanted to remove her from her job was a "tissue of lies".
A Guardian poll in May confirmed she was still the most popular member of the Blair government.
In June, Dr Mowlam was forced to apologise for suggesting the monarchy should modernise and move out of Buckingham palace.
In July, she accused people close to the government of trying to dent her popularity. Her struggle with the government has contrasted sharply with the standing ovation she received at the 1998 Labour Party conference where she was feted as a conquering hero.
Having helped to restore the IRA ceasefire, Dr Mowlam had become the first secretary of state to forge an agreement between unionism, nationalism and republicanism.
Questions were raised as to whether the prime minister, who had played a crucial role in achieving the Good Friday Agreement, resented the credit falling to his secretary of state.
Unionist politicians were openly critical of her, often insisting on dealing with Mr Blair.
Sources close to Dr Mowlam said that she resented being pushed aside.
Nationalist and other politicians had good relationships with Dr Mowlam.
She had also forged strong links with community groups - and had won the hearts of all sections of society with her populist approach.
She opened up Stormont for rock concerts, and her "touchy feely" style contrasted with the formal approach of some of her predecessors.
Dr Mowlam entered Northern Ireland politics at a time when old boundaries were being redrawn.
In sharp contrast to the old policies of demonisation and exclusion, Dr Mowlam embraced all sections of the community: including loyalists and republicans.
A tough politician, she was also a risk taker, defying critics and entering the Maze prison to persuade loyalist prisoners not to give up on the ceasefires.
It has been said her greatest legacy was to encourage dialogue, foster inclusivity and reach out to those on the margins.