Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his engagement to partner Jodie Haydon via a selfie on social media. The couple got engaged while celebrating Valentine’s Day in Australia with a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant, followed by a proposal at The Lodge in Canberra. Mr. Albanese posted a close-up photo with his partner on X, Facebook, and Instagram with the words, “She said yes,” and a love heart. Ms. Haydon can be seen wearing a new ring, which according to reports, has been specially designed by the prime minister.
In a statement, Mr. Albanese and Ms. Haydon said, “We are thrilled and excited to share this news and look forward to spending the rest of our lives together. We are so lucky to have found each other.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong was quick to respond to the news, expressing her joy for the couple. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil also offered her congratulations with a red love heart emoji.
The prime minister will be the first to be engaged while in public office and may be the first to get married while in the top job, depending on when the wedding is held. Queensland’s Labor Premier Steven Miles also offered his congratulations to the couple, wishing them happiness in the future. The post from Mr. Albanese had received more than 5,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments within an hour of posting to X.
Mr. Albanese, 60, and Ms. Haydon, 45, met during a function in Melbourne in 2020 and have been dating for about four years. The couple have traveled on many overseas trips together, including to the United States where they were hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Mr. Albanese expressed uncertainty about how he would top a date night at the White House in the future, during a glamorous state dinner.
This is not the first time Mr. Albanese has been married. He separated from Carmel Tebbutt in 2019 following 19 years of marriage and has one son, Nathan Albanese, from this marriage.