A first in Australian history
Anthony Albanese has married his long-time partner Jodie Haydon in a private ceremony — becoming the first serving Australian prime minister to wed while in office. The wedding took place on 29 November 2025 at the official prime-ministerial residence The Lodge in Canberra, following the final parliamentary sitting week of the year.
The couple exchanged vows in front of around 60–80 family and close friends, including senior political figures and cabinet members.
Their story — from chance meeting to “I do”
Albanese and Haydon first met at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020, bonding over a shared passion for the rugby league team the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Their relationship deepened over the years as Haydon accompanied Albanese during key political events, including the 2022 and 2025 election campaigns.
On Valentine’s Day 2024, Albanese proposed to Haydon at The Lodge with a bespoke engagement ring — a moment the couple later described as deeply personal and meaningful.
They delayed their wedding until after the 2025 federal election, citing respect for the cost-of-living pressures facing many Australians and a desire to keep the event low-key.
A quietly elegant wedding at The Lodge
- The ceremony was small and intimate — no media announcements or public fanfare. Organisers described it as “about us, not a big public event.”
- Haydon walked down the aisle to Ben Folds’s “The Luckiest,” escorted by her parents.
- Their pet cavoodle, Toto, served as ring-bearer — a touch of warmth reflecting the couple’s personality. Haydon’s five-year-old niece was flower girl.
- Haydon wore a white gown by Australian designer Romance Was Born; Albanese opted for a classic suit from menswear label MJ Bale.
- The rings were crafted by Cerrone Jewellers in Sydney.
- Their first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”, followed by exit music of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”.
They told reporters afterwards they were “absolutely delighted” to have shared the moment “in front of our family and closest friends.”
Significance — more than a personal milestone
- A historic first: Never before in the 124-year history of the federal government has a sitting prime minister married while in office.
- Blending public duty with private life: The decision to marry quietly, right after a record election win and parliamentary session, reflects a modern approach to leadership — maintaining dignity, privacy, and normalcy.
- Humanising leadership: For many Australians, the wedding offers a rare glimpse of the leader’s personal side — grounding political life in relatable human experience.
What’s next for the newlyweds
The couple is expected to honeymoon within Australia over the next two weeks. All costs for the wedding and honeymoon have been privately funded.
With the 2025 parliamentary year concluded and Albanese’s party recently reelected with a strong majority, many now watch to see how this new chapter in his private life might influence his public role — blending personal renewal with political momentum.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
