Dallas Hayden, wife of former Governor General and Labor leader Bill Hayden, has died aged 87, three months after her husband’s death.
The Haydens had been married for more than sixty years and had endured Hayden’s entire political career as he rose from Labor MP to architect of universal healthcare, from federal opposition leader to governor-general.
The two eventually retired to a farm on the outskirts of Ipswich in Queensland, where they largely withdrew from public life before Hayden died in October at the age of 90.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Mrs Hayden had followed her husband to the grave.
“Like everyone in the Labor family, I am saddened by the passing of Dallas Hayden,” Mr Albanese said.
Dallas Hayden (pictured with Anthony Albanese), wife of former Governor General and Labor leader Bill Hayden, has died aged 87, three months after the death of her husband
‘Dallas was a person of wonderful warmth and great depth, kind and gracious to strangers and friends alike.
‘She played supporting roles in public life for many years and her optimism, her quiet courage and her strength of character were a powerful inspiration to her adoring husband Bill.’
The Prime Minister offered his condolences to Ms Hayden’s family and friends on behalf of the Labor Party and the Government.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also paid tribute to Ms Hayden and recognized her importance to the nation.
“A lawmaker is blessed to have a spouse by his side whose dedication, patience, level-headedness and love strengthens him as an individual,” he said in a statement.
“Dallas Hayden was such a wife to Bill Hayden and a woman who, along with her husband, served her country with honor and grace.”
Mrs. Hayden is survived by her children Georgina, Ingrid and Kirk.
Bill Hayden is pictured with his wife Dallas at the United Services Club in Brisbane on March 13, 2002