Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his partner Jodie Haydon in an intimate ceremony at the Lodge, becoming the first serving prime minister in the nation’s history to wed while in office.
The Saturday afternoon wedding was attended by close family and friends, marking a personal milestone just months after Albanese’s landslide re-election.
Deeply personal ceremony at Lodge
The ceremony took place at the prime minister’s official residence, with Albanese’s son Nathan and Haydon’s parents, Bill and Pauline, among the guests.
Married💍❤️💍 pic.twitter.com/mSzojtBF2I
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 29, 2025
In a joint 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.”
A celebrant from the NSW Central Coast officiated as the pair exchanged vows they wrote themselves. Haydon walked down the aisle to Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest”, escorted by her parents.
Personal touches, family roles, meaningful details
Haydon wore a custom gown by Sydney label Romance Was Born, while Albanese’s suit was from MJ Bale. Their wedding rings were crafted by Cerrone Jewellers in Leichhardt. Family played a central role in the ceremony:
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Haydon’s five-year-old niece Ella served as the flower girl.
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The couple’s dog Toto carried the rings.
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The witnesses were Haydon’s brother Patrick and Albanese’s cousin Helen Golden.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds walked back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”, with their first dance set to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
The couple will honeymoon in Australia next week.
Private event after busy political year
Details surrounding the wedding were tightly managed by the prime minister’s office, with all costs covered privately. The ceremony followed the final sitting of the Australian parliament for 2025 and came six months after Albanese secured a decisive second-term victory.
Notable guests included Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his wife Laura; Foreign Minister Penny Wong; Finance Minister Katy Gallagher; ALP National Secretary Paul Erickson; and Chief of staff Tim Gartrell.
Love story that began with ‘Up the Rabbitohs’
Albanese and Haydon met more than five years ago at a public function in Melbourne when Haydon called out “Up the Rabbitohs!”—a tribute to Albanese’s beloved South Sydney team. She later messaged him on social media.
“I slid into his DMs,” she recalled in an interview, noting their shared interests and mutual admiration for Sydney’s inner west.
Their relationship grew during the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Haydon has since accompanied Albanese on international trips, campaign events and public engagements, while also serving as chief patron of the National Portrait Gallery.
Proposal and personal backgrounds
Albanese proposed on Valentine’s Day in February 2024, on the balcony of the Lodge, after dining at a popular Canberra restaurant. He designed a bespoke engagement ring for the occasion.
Haydon, raised on the NSW Central Coast, works for the NSW Public Service Association and previously held roles in the superannuation sector.
Albanese separated from his former wife, Carmel Tebbutt, in 2019 after nearly 20 years of marriage.
The Lodge, built in 1927 as a temporary prime ministerial residence, has long been one of Albanese’s favourite places to live, he has said. The colonial revival-style home has hosted global leaders, dignitaries and celebrities.
However, recent security threats have increased the protective presence around the prime minister. Albanese told parliament this week that several arrests had been made related to his safety, leading to a stronger federal police presence at public events.
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