Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Announces Engagement on Valentines Day

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon watch the action during the tour match between the Prime Ministers XI and the West Indies at Manuka Oval on November 25, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his engagement to partner Jodie Haydon via a selfie on social media.

The couple were engaged while celebrating Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 in Australia with a romantic dinner at at an Italian restaurant followed by a proposal at The Lodge in Canberra.

Mr. Albanese posted a close-up photo with his partner on X, Facebook, and Instagram with the words, “She said yes,” and a love heart.

Ms. Haydon can be seen wearing a new ring, which according to reports, has been specially designed by the prime minister.

In a statement, Mr. Albanese and Ms. Haydon said, “We are thrilled and excited to share this news and look forward to spending the rest of our lives together. We are so lucky to have found each other.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was quick to respond to the news, posting on X, “Love is a beautiful thing. I’m so happy for you both.”

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil also offered her congratulations on X with a red love heart emoji, in response to the news.

The prime minister will be the first to be engaged while in public office and may be the first to get married while in the top job, depending on when the wedding is held.

Queensland’s Labor Premier Steven Miles also offered his congratulations to the couple, wishing them happiness in the future.

“Congratulations Anthony Albanese and Jodie on the wonderful news of your engagement. Wishing you a life of happiness together,” Mr. Miles said.

The post from Mr. Albanese had received more than 5,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments within an hour of posting to X.

Mr. Albanese, 60, and Ms. Haydon, 45, met during a function in Melbourne in 2020 and have now been dating for about four years.

The couple have travelled on many overseas trips together, including to the United States where they were hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in October 2023

While making a toast during a glamorous state dinner at the White House, Mr. Albanese expressed he wasn’t sure how he would top a date night at the White House in the future.

“I must say, I only have one regret about tonight, which is—I’m not quite sure how I top this for date night with Jodie at anytime, anywhere in the future. It’s all downhill from here, my darling,” Mr. Albanese said during the dinner.

U.S. President Joe Biden (2nd-R) and first lady Jill Biden (R) welcome Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon to the White House on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Biden and the first lady hosted Prime Minister Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon for a state dinner. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

This is not the first time Mr. Albanese has been married. He separated from Carmel Tebbutt, a former deputy premier of New South Wales in 2019 following 19 years of marriage. He has one son, Nathan Albanese, from this marriage.