Who is Penny Wong's wife Sophie Allouache - and the secret meaning behind the Foreign Minister's wedding suit
- Veteran Labor politician marries her long-time partner
- Sophie Allouache is a public servant in South Australia
- READ MORE: Penny Wong married - Foreign Minister exchanges vows with partner Sophie Allouache
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 the Bird in Hand Winery in Adelaide Hills on Saturday.
Australia's Foreign Minister has long been an advocate for same-sex marriage and famously broke down in tears when Australians voted for marriage equality in a 2017 plebiscite.
In a statement, the couple, who have two children, said 'We are delighted that so many of our family and friends could share this special day with us.'
A former University of Adelaide Students' Association president, Ms Allouache is seven years younger than her wife.
Penny Wong, veteran Labor senator and Australia's Foreign Minister, has married her long-time 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.
READ MORE: Anthony Albanese, 60, becomes the country's first PM to get engaged while in office after proposing on the balcony of his official residence
Anthony Albanese is pictured with his fiance Jodie Haydon
In December 2011, she gave birth to the couple's first child Alexandra who was conceived through IVF.
After Alexandra's birth, Ms Wong and Ms Allouache said they would tell her who the father is.
Ms Allouache gave birth to the couple's second daughter Hannah in 2015.
Their wedding celebrations featured a traditional lion dance, honouring Ms Wong's Malaysian-Chinese heritage.
The dance, which is performed during Chinese New Year and other important festivities such as weddings, is done to bring good luck and fortune.
Ms Allouache wore a white A-line gown with a lace bodice for the ceremony, while the senator wore a red tuxedo.
In Chinese weddings, the colour red is symbol of good luck, happiness and a good life free from evil spirits.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon, who recently got engaged, were 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 studying architecture at Adelaide University.
Penny Wong (right) is pictured with partner Sophie Allouache and their baby daughter Alexandra in Adelaide in 2011
The senator and Ms Allouache famously like to keep their lives private.
Ms Wong condemned the toxic debate surrounding the 2017 plebiscite 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 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.'
Ms Wong burst into tears of joy and relief on live television, then went to phone Ms Allouache.
When asked if she would be making wedding plans, Ms Wong replied: 'I think that's something she and I can discuss in private'.
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 her wife Sophie Allouache
