Who is Dan Andrews’ wife Catherine, how many kids does he have and how much does he earn as premier? Inside outgoing leader’s family life

Daniel Andrews revealed he will step down as Victorian premier and the country’s highest-paid state leader after a serious conversation with his family.

Andrews called a brief press conference in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon to announce the end of his nine-year career as state leader, effective from 5pm on Wednesday.

The father-of-three was backed by his wife Catherine and sons Noah, 21, and Joseph, 15, for suggesting the role of prime minister had cost him valuable time with his family.

“It requires 100 percent of you and your family, which is of course limited in time and now is the time to step away,” he said.

Mr Andrews gave no hint at what his future career might look like, but it is unlikely he will need to find a new job anytime soon.

Daniel Andrews has been married to Catherine for 25 years. They have three children, Noah, Joseph and Grace, who is enjoying her gap year abroad

In his final months as president, Andrews managed a 3.5 percent pay increase, bringing his annual salary to $481,190 – more than $16,000 more than in 2022.

He will also reap the benefits of a landmark pension scheme for MPs elected before 2004, which could see him receive millions upon retirement.

Mr Andrews owns a $1 million estate in his electorate of Mulgrave, on the Mornington Peninsula – where he slipped on a step and broke part of his spine during a weekend away from office in 2021.

He then famously used his 111 days in Covid lockdown between March and June that year, which his government enforced, to refinance his mortgage for the third time in two years.

The first was to finance an expansion in 2018, when cash rates were at a record low 1.5 percent. By the time he refinanced again, interest rates had fallen to just 0.1 percent.

The couple reportedly purchased the property in 2002 for $251,000.

Catherine, former director of The Torch – an organization that supports indigenous Australians – previously told The Herald Sun that people would be surprised at how ‘normal’ her family is.

“Our children go to local schools. We go to the local shops; there is nothing special about us. “Daniel happens to be the Prime Minister, that’s his job,” she said.

‘I still have to pay the bills, wash the uniforms, make sure everything is ready for football on Saturday or ballet on Monday and Wednesday and I still have to make sure there is enough food in the fridge.’

She said the couple often enjoy a glass of wine on Saturday evenings, and that “time is precious” when he is home.

The Prime Minister was flanked at the printing press by his wife and two sons Joseph and Noah

Andrews’ resignation came as a surprise as he was only re-elected last year until 2026.

In November, he shared a photo of his wife on Twitter during his campaign for a third term – captioning the post: “Campaign day one – with my number one.”

In the photo, Catherine was seen gazing adoringly at her husband of 25 years, while dressed in high-vis and surrounded by news cameras.

Mr Andrews thanked his wife and children for their support over the years during his resignation announcement.

“To my family, to my mother and father, to my sister, I couldn’t ask for more,” he said.

“Cath, she is my best friend and none of this would have been even remotely possible without her support, her guidance and her love. Noah, Grace and Joseph, they only know the politics that did this. For all matters addressed: thank you. You’re everything to me.’

Mr Andrews said of his decision to resign: ‘When it’s time, it’s time.’

“Today I will visit Government House again and resign as Prime Minister and Member for Mulgrave at 5pm tomorrow,” he said.

“I’ve always known that the moment that happens, it’s time to go and give this privilege, this great responsibility to someone else.

“It is not an easy task to be the premier of our state, but that is not a complaint, that is just a fact.”

Andrews’ legacy includes a massive – and expensive – infrastructure programme, the eradication of level crossings on Victorian roads and a massive national debt of $135.4 billion next year.

The Andrews family lives on the Mornington Peninsula, in a house worth more than $1 million