Anthony Albanese's wife Jodie Haydon opens up in candid chat about weight and personal struggles

Published: 02:58, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 02:58, 11 August 2026 Anthony Albanese's wife, Jodie Haydon, has opened up about her struggles with perimenopause and social media in a rare public address last week. Haydon, 48, who wed Albanese, 63, in November, was a surprise guest speaker at a small community women's wellness lunch in Melbourne's south on Saturday. Attendee Bronwyn White took to social media to praise Ms Haydon for her honesty and warmth. 'She sat down and within about four minutes had told a room full of women she'd never met that she's 48 and perimenopausal,' Ms White said. 'She talked about her weight going up and down over the years, the way it does for most of us.' Haydon also revealed that she has taken herself 'almost entirely' off social media so she cannot read what others say about her. She also shared details about her morning routine and what wellness means to her. 'And since we were all there to talk about wellness, she let us know her version includes a glass of wine and a proper catch-up with her mates,' Ms White said. Albanese's wife Jodie Haydon has opened up about her struggles in a rare public address She spoke at a small community women's wellness lunch in Melbourne on Saturday Ms White added: 'She said we need to be kinder to ourselves and to each other. 'And that the ground women have gained needs looking after, because misogyny is on the rise and our voices need to stay loud. 'Honestly it felt less like a speech and more like sitting in somebody's kitchen with a room full of girlfriends.' As of Tuesday morning, Ms White's post had been liked by more than 4,600 people, with many commenting that they had always wondered what Haydon is like in person. The event marked the first speaking engagement of its kind for Haydon, whose usual 9-to-5 job is as Head of Strategic Partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank. She was invited to attend the lunch by the Louisa Dunkley Women's Network, a group launched by the late Peta Murphy and now run by federal Labor MP Jodie Belyea. While she has lived a relatively private life since meeting Albanese in 2020, Haydon has also performed duties alongside the Prime Minister, attending state dinners, overseas summits and even the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. She told the Australian Women's Weekly in 2025 that she was proud to have maintained her identity outside public life. 'I have my own professional path, and my own identity and purpose,' she said. 'I continue to work full-time and my employer has been very supportive. When I am at work, I'm simply Jodie, not the Prime Minister's partner.'