Anthony Albanese has married his partner, Jodie Haydon, in Canberra, becoming the first Australian prime minister to wed while in office.
The ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon at the Lodge, the prime minister’s official residence, with a small gathering of close family and friends. Among those present were Albanese’s son, Nathan, and Haydon’s parents, Bill and Pauline.
In a statement, the couple said: “We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends.”
The pair exchanged vows written themselves, with Haydon walked down the aisle by her parents to Ben Folds’ song The Luckiest. She wore a gown by Sydney label Romance Was Born, while Albanese’s suit was tailored by MJ Bale. Their rings were supplied by Cerrone Jewellers in Leichhardt.
Haydon’s five-year-old niece, Ella, served as flower girl, and Albanese’s dog, Toto, carried the rings. Witnesses included Haydon’s brother, Patrick, and Albanese’s cousin, Helen Golden.
Following the ceremony, the couple walked back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours). Their first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s The Way You Look Tonight.
The couple will honeymoon in Australia next week. Costs for the wedding are being met privately. The event followed the final sitting day of parliament for 2025 and came six months after Albanese’s re-election victory.
Guests included Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his wife, Laura, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, ALP national secretary Paul Erickson, and Albanese’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell.
Albanese and Haydon first met at a public function in Melbourne in 2019, when Haydon called out “Up the Rabbitohs” in support of Albanese’s rugby league team. They later connected on social media. Albanese proposed on Valentine’s Day 2024 at the Lodge, presenting a bespoke engagement ring.
Haydon, who works for the NSW Public Service Association, has accompanied Albanese at public events and overseas visits. She has taken on traditional roles of the prime minister’s spouse, including serving as chief patron of the National Portrait Gallery.
Albanese was previously married to Carmel Tebbutt, former deputy premier of New South Wales. They separated in 2019 after nearly two decades together.
The Lodge, built in 1927 and restored in 2019, has hosted prime ministers, monarchs and presidents. Security was heightened for the wedding, with Albanese noting in parliament that recent threats had led to multiple arrests and an increased police presence at official events.
