Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has some exciting news to share – he’s getting married! He recently announced his engagement to Jodie Haydon, his partner for the past four years.
The special proposal took place on Valentine’s Day at the Lodge, the official residence for the prime minister in Canberra. Mr. Albanese even designed a ring for the occasion.
This makes Mr. Albanese the first Australian leader to get engaged while serving as the Prime Minister. He happily shared the news on social media with a selfie, saying, “She said yes.” In a joint statement, the couple expressed their joy and excitement, looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together. They feel fortunate to have found each other.
Congratulations poured in from colleagues across the parliament, as well as from New Zealand leader Christopher Luxon and TV chef Nigella Lawson. Foreign Minister Penny Wong shared her happiness, stating, “Love is a beautiful thing. I’m so happy for you both!”
Mr. Albanese has a 23-year-old son named Nathan from his previous marriage to Carmel Tebbutt, the former deputy premier of New South Wales. They separated in 2019 after 19 years together.
The Labor Party leader shared that he and Ms. Haydon first met at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020. Their connection deepened a year later when they discovered their shared love for the National Rugby League team during a function. Ms. Haydon, who has a background in the financial services industry, yelled out her support for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and their bond grew stronger from there.
While the couple initially kept a low profile, they stepped into the public eye during the 2022 campaign trail and Mr. Albanese’s international trips as the prime minister. Their engagement has brought joy not only to them but also to many well-wishers who celebrate the love between the Australian Prime Minister and his soon-to-be spouse, Jodie Haydon.