“I didn't understand it”: Albo opens up about blindsiding divorce
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has candidly opened up about the difficult days after his ex-wife asked for a divorce.
Albo shared how he was blindsided by his wife’s request, after 19 years of marriage and 30 years together.
Following their marriage breakdown on New Year's Day in 2019, Albo shared that he went overseas for two weeks and even considered quitting politics entirely.
He said he was shocked by the revelation that his ex-wife, former deputy NSW premier Carmel Tebbutt, wasn’t happy in their marriage.
“I didn't understand it, but I came to accept it,” the PM told Melbourne's Triple M radio.
After Tebbutt asked for the divorce, Albo travelled to London for a week to visit friends before journeying on to Lisbon in Portugal.
“It was two weeks to clear the air, determine what I wanted to do with my life, decide whether I wanted to run again in the election,” he said.
He made the decision to come home and throw himself into public life, announcing a run for the top job in the lead up to the 2022 election.
Along the road to his election victory, Albo found love again with Jodie Haydon after the pair met at an event in Melbourne.
The PM said he was always open to finding love again, but was concerned about his public image.
“I never did Tinder,” Mr Albanese said, acknowledging it would be “fine” for him to use it - “except [everyone] would know about it”.
He said, “It was [incredibly challenging], but you live in the public eye. It was very difficult for me personally, but Carmel made a decision that she wanted to move on with her life... our son had reached 18, he'd graduated from school.”
“It was a decision I found difficult but one she obviously had the right to do.”
In spite of the heartache, Mr Albanese and Ms Tebbutt do appear to be on good terms.
They famously share custody of their dog, Toto, and Ms Tebbutt was seen on the campaign trail for Labor during the election.
As for his new relationship, Mr Albanese said it's “fantastic” that he “has someone to spend his personal life with”, along with his son Nathan, particularly given the complex challenges that come with running a country.
“I'm most proud of my resilience,” he said. “I've hung in there, I've stayed true to my values and I think I've made a difference.”
Image credits: Getty Images