Love Stories: Inside Penny Wong's 18-year romance with now-wife Sophie Allouache
By April Glover|
Penny Wong and her new wife Sophie Allouache's love story is a shining example of modern love in Australian politics.
Malaysian-born Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, 55, tied the knot with her longtime partner of nearly 18 years this weekend.
The pair, who are already parents to two daughters, Alexandra and Hannah, decided to marry after a sweet ceremony at a winery in Wong's hometown of Adelaide. But how did it all begin?
Watch the video above.?
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Wong and Allouache met in 2007 after the Labor frontbencher was appointed Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation.?
Not much is known about Wong's personal life, but the senator opened up about her sexuality publicly in 2002 after she assumed her senate seat.
Allouache accompanied Wong for her swearing-in to parliament when she joined Kevin Rudd's ministry in 2007.
"I have never hidden this," she told The Age about her relationship at the time.
"Why do they think it's relevant?"
Wong fought long and hard for marriage equality in the years before the plebiscite in 2017.
During that time, she and Allouache welcomed two daughters จC Alexandra in 2011 and Hannah in 2015.
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Wong spoke openly about the couple using IVF to fall pregnant with their children.
"We are extremely grateful to our IVF service and staff, and to our donor, for giving us the opportunity to raise a child together," Wong said in a statement after announcing they were expecting in 2011.
The senator also revealed their first child's biological father is a friend who is known to their daughter.
Allouache carried and gave birth to both children, who were conceived from the same male donor's sperm.
"Sophie and I are delighted beyond words. Like all new parents know, there's nothing like this," Wong said after her second daughter Hannah was born in 2015.
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Wong hasn't given many interviews about her relationship with Allouache.
In 2017, while voting 'yes' for same-sex marriage laws in Australia, Wong shared a rare message on social media about her now-wife.
"Sophie and I voted. Not only because we love each other. But because we want a more equal Australia. For our children. For all. #VoteYes And Please remember to get your forms back," she said.
After learning Australians voted 'yes' to legalising gay marriage, Wong wept in parliament.
"I hope that everyone in this parliament has heard the resounding voice of the Australian people today, a mandate for change, a mandate for equality," she said.?
"Because it is time. Thank you for standing up for fairness, thank you for standing up for equality. Thank you for standing up for our families."
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In the book Bully for Them: 22 Successful Australians on Hard Lessons Learned, Wong spoke about coming out in 2002.
"My sexuality wasn't an issue at school, because it wasn't formative. It was much later in my life that I entered a relationship with a woman. I get it a bit now, though!" she said.
Wong and Allouache live in Adelaide with their two daughters.
The politician announced news of their wedding on Instagram alongside a sweet photo of herself wearing a red suit, posing next to Allouache who wore a white dress with laced sleeves.
"We are delighted that so many of our family and friends could share this special day with us," she captioned the photo.
