Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his long-time partner Jodie Haydon in an intimate and historic ceremony at The Lodge, marking the first time an Australian prime minister has wed while in office — and the first marriage ever held at the official residence.
The ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in Canberra, attended only by close family and friends. In a brief joint statement, the couple said they were “delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together.”
The prime minister had previously emphasised the low-key nature of the event, insisting no world leaders would be present. Instead, the focus remained squarely on family: Albanese’s son, Nathan, played an important role, and the couple’s beloved dog, Toto, served as ring bearer.
Haydon, walked down the aisle by her parents, wore a custom gown by Sydney label Romance Was Born, while Albanese chose a suit from MJ Bale. The couple exchanged vows they had written themselves, walking down the aisle to Ben Folds’ ballad The Luckiest. They exited the ceremony to Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered and are expected to share their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s classic The Way You Look Tonight.
The newlyweds plan to take a short honeymoon within Australia from Monday to Friday.
Albanese and Haydon first met in 2019 at a business dinner, bonding over their shared support for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Haydon later accompanied Albanese throughout the 2022 and 2025 election campaigns. Albanese proposed on Valentine’s Day last year, becoming the first sitting prime minister to get engaged while in office.
Security concerns meant the couple kept the details of the wedding tightly guarded. In past interviews, Albanese said the relationship grounded him amid the pressures of national leadership, describing Haydon as someone he couldn’t imagine life without. Before proposing, he sought the blessing of his son Nathan, who gave his support.
The ceremony also featured light-hearted touches, including commemorative beer cans for guests and a flower girl leading Toto down the aisle.
“It’s not a political event,” Albanese has said. “It’s an event between myself and Jodie.” On Saturday, it became a historic moment as well — one marking a new personal chapter for Australia’s prime minister.
