Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed his engagement to his partner of four years, Jodie Haydon, marking a historic milestone as the first Australian leader to get engaged while in office.
The proposal took place at the Lodge, the prime minister’s official residence in Canberra, on Valentine’s Day, accompanied by a ring specially designed by Mr. Albanese himself. The couple, aged 60 and 45 respectively, first crossed paths at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020.
Sharing the joyous news on social media with a selfie captioned “She said yes,” Mr. Albanese and Ms. Haydon later released a joint statement expressing their excitement and gratitude, affirming their commitment to spending the rest of their lives together.
The announcement has garnered congratulatory messages from colleagues across the parliament, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, as well as international figures like New Zealand leader Christopher Luxon and TV chef Nigella Lawson.
Mr. Albanese, who has a 23-year-old son from a previous marriage, disclosed how he and Ms. Haydon connected over their shared passion for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a National Rugby League team. Their relationship blossomed over time, with Ms. Haydon eventually accompanying Mr. Albanese on the campaign trail in 2022 and joining him on international trips as prime minister.
The engagement signifies a personal milestone for Mr. Albanese, underscoring the significance of love and companionship amidst his political duties as Australia’s leader.
-BBC-
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