'Married:' Australian PM Albanese becomes the first ever to marry in office

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his girlfriend Jodie Haydon on Saturday, becoming the country's first leader to tie the knot while in office.

Albanese, 62, is the first prime minister to marry while in office in the 124-year history of the Australian federal government.

"Married," the prime minister said in a one-word post on social media with video of him in a bow-tie holding the hand of his smiling bride, who wore a long, white dress, as confetti showered down.

The marriage ceremony took place at Albanese’s official residence, the Lodge, in which family members, including Albanese’s son Nathan and Haydon parents and close friends participated to witness their long-term vows written by themselves.

In a separate 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."

The pair wrote their own vows and their dog Toto was the ring bearer. Haydon's 5-year-old niece Ella was the flower girl, the statement said.

Anthony Albanese stands with his son Nathan and his dog, ring bearer Toto, before the ceremony in Canberra. Reuters

The couple were married by a civil celebrant before around 60 guests including Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe and several cabinet ministers in an afternoon ceremony on the grounds of The Lodge.

There was no media reporting of the event until after it had occurred.

The ceremony took place more than a year after Albanese proposed on Valentine's Day 2024, saying at the time he had found a partner "who I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Anthony Albanese and his new wife Jodie Haydon (R) sign the marriage certificate with celebrant Bree during their wedding ceremony. AFP

After the ceremony, where guests drank beer from a Sydney brewery, the couple walked down the aisle to Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)."

The newlyweds are to go on a five-day honeymoon in Australia from Monday.

Their relationship bloomed when they first met at a public function more than 5 years ago in Melbourne.

Albanese proposed to Haydon on the balcony at the Lodge in February 2024 especially on Valentine’s Day. 

The prime minister — who divorced his previous wife in 2019 and has an adult son, Nathan — met Haydon more than five years ago at a Melbourne business dinner.

The centre-left Labor Party leader secured a second three-year term in office in a landslide election victory in May this year.

He joined Labor while in high school and later became deeply involved in the bruising world of student politics at the University of Sydney.

Agencies