Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his long-time partner Jodie Haydon in a private ceremony at The Lodge, becoming the first Australian leader to wed while in office. The pair exchanged vows on Saturday afternoon in Canberra, surrounded by a small circle of family and close friends.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to send congratulations, writing:
“Congratulations to my good friend, PM Anthony Albanese and Ms Jodie Haydon on their wedding. Wishing them a happy married life.”
The couple said they were “absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends”.
Haydon was walked down the aisle by her parents to Ben Folds’ The Luckiest, while Albanese’s son Nathan stood alongside the groom.
In keeping with their wish for a low-key celebration, the ceremony was officiated by a celebrant from the NSW Central Coast, with both writing their own vows.
The family touch extended further: Haydon’s five-year-old niece Ella served as flower girl and the couple’s dog, Toto, stole the moment as ring bearer. Their witnesses were Haydon’s brother Patrick and Albanese’s cousin Helen Golden.
The event followed the final sitting day of Parliament for 2025 and came six months after Albanese’s emphatic 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 the Prime Minister’s long-time chief of staff, Tim Gartrell.
It is reported that all costs were privately covered by the couple, and details were tightly managed due to security considerations.
The couple are expected to honeymoon in Australia next week.
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