Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his partner of five years, Jodie Haydon, in an intimate ceremony held at the official residence, the Lodge, in Canberra — making him the first sitting Australian leader to wed while in office.
The wedding took place on Saturday afternoon with only close family and friends present. Among those in attendance were Albanese’s son Nathan, and Haydon’s parents, Bill and Pauline. In keeping with the personal tone of the event, the couple exchanged self-written vows, and Haydon was escorted down the aisle by her parents to the song “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. She wore a gown designed by Romance Was Born, while Albanese’s suit was tailored by MJ Bale.
Albanese shared a brief video from the ceremony on social media shortly afterward. The event included personal touches from the couple: Haydon’s five-year-old niece served as flower girl, and the couple’s dog, Toto, carried the rings. Witnesses were Haydon’s brother Patrick and Albanese’s cousin Helen Golden.
Although private and self-funded, the ceremony included several of Australia’s top political figures among the invited guests, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, ALP National Secretary Paul Erickson and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell. The pair walked out after the ceremony to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” and later shared their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
International wishes poured in soon after the announcement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Albanese on X, referring to him as a “good friend” and wishing the couple a happy married life.
Albanese and Haydon first met at a public event in Melbourne over five years ago. He proposed on Valentine’s Day 2024 on the balcony of the Lodge with a custom engagement ring. Haydon has since been a frequent presence at public events and official visits and serves as chief patron of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
This is Albansese’s second marriage; he was previously married to former NSW Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt before their separation in 2019 after nearly two decades together.
