Penny Wong has officially tied the knot with her long-term partner Sophie Allouache in a ceremony in her home state of South Australia.
Ms Wong, 55, has been in a relationship with Ms Allouache, a public servant, since 2006 and the happy couple married at Bird in Hand Winery in the Adelaide Hills on Saturday.
Australia’s foreign minister has long been a supporter of same-sex marriage and famously broke down in tears when Australians voted for marriage equality in a 2017 referendum.
In a statement, the couple, who have two children, said, “We are delighted that so many of our family and friends were able to share this special day with us.”
A former president of the University of Adelaide Students’ Association, Ms Allouache is seven years his wife’s junior.
Penny Wong, veteran Labor senator and Australian Foreign Minister, has married her long-term partner Sophie Allouache in her home state of South Australia
Ms Wong, 55, has been in a relationship with Ms Allouache, a public servant, since 2006 and the happy couple tied the knot at Bird in Hand Winery in the Adelaide Hills on Saturday.
She works as a manager for South Australia’s Health & Department of Human Services and has expertise in early childhood health and mental health issues, including eating disorders.
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Anthony Albanese is pictured with his fiancée Jodie Haydon
In December 2011, she gave birth to the couple’s first child, Alexandra, who was conceived through IVF.
After Alexandra’s birth, Mrs Wong and Mrs Allouache said they would tell her who the father is.
Allouache gave birth to the couple’s second daughter Hannah in 2015.
Their wedding celebration featured a traditional lion dance that honored Ms. Wong’s Malay-Chinese heritage.
Performed during Chinese New Year and other important celebrations such as weddings, the dance is made to bring good luck.
Allouache wore a white A-line dress with a lace bodice for the ceremony, while the senator wore a red tuxedo.
In Chinese weddings, the color red is a symbol of luck, happiness and a good life free from evil spirits.
prime minister Anthony Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon, who recently got engaged, was at the wedding, as were Health Minister Mark Butler and former SA Premier Jay Weatherill.
Alexandra, 12, and Hannah, 8, were flower girls for the ceremony.
Ms Wong was born in Malaysia, where she spent the first eight years of her life.
Francis Wong, her Malaysian father, met her Australian mother, Jane Chapman, while she was studying architecture at Adelaide University.
Penny Wong (right) is pictured with partner Sophie Allouache and their daughter Alexandra in Adelaide in 2011
The senator and Mrs. Allouache like to keep their lives private.
Wong condemned the toxic debate surrounding the 2017 referendum on whether Australia should allow same-sex unions – held under Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – as an ‘expensive stunt’.
But when Australians voted overwhelmingly to approve gay marriage, she wept with joy.
“I hope everyone in this Parliament has heard the resounding voice of the Australian people today, a mandate for change, a mandate for equality,” she said.
‘Cause it’s time. Thank you for standing up for justice, thank you for standing up for equality. Thank you for standing up for our families.’
Ms Wong broke down in tears of joy and relief on live television and then went to call Ms Allouache.
When asked if she wanted to make wedding plans, Ms Wong replied: “I think that’s something she and I can discuss privately”.
Penny Wong (right) is pictured with her then partner, now wife Sophie Allouache in Canberra in 2011
Veteran Labor Senator Penny Wong is pictured with his wife Sophie Allouache