How Anthony Albanese has aged as Prime Minister – after undergoing a dramatic election makeover that prompted botox speculation

A photo of Anthony Albanese giving a comforting hug to Matildas superstar Sam Kerr shows the wear and tear that the prime minister’s tenure takes away.

In the photo taken on Saturday night after Australia lost 2-0 to Sweden in the third-place play-off at the Women’s World Cup, a strikingly graying 60-year-old Mr Albanese hugs the substitute.

Compared to the relatively fresh Labor leader who took office just under 15 months ago, Mr Albanese’s complexion appears pale, with deeper furrowed grooming lines and blue veins more visibly popping on his hands.

The rapid obsolescence of those in high office is often observed, sometimes even by the leaders themselves.

“The first thing I want from young people is that they stop calling me old,” then-US President Barack Obama said in 2015 when he was halfway through his second term.

“When I came into office I had no gray hair and now I have many. I don’t dye my hair, and many of my fellow leaders do. I’m not saying who, but their hairdressers know, their hairdressers.’

The stress of leading nations is such that winning candidates live three years less than the opponents they defeated, a Harvard Medical School study found.

Mr Albanese underwent a famous makeover ahead of last May’s elections, where at the age of 59 he succeeded in overthrowing the coalition government led by Scott Morrison.

The Labor leader lost nearly 20kg and overhauled his wardrobe to ditch his earlier baggy dark suits for lighter, better-fitting suits, and started wearing more youthful-looking glasses.

He also underwent major dental surgery in 2015 to repair what Mr Albanese called his “horrible working-class teeth”.

The makeover even led to Mr. Morrison suggesting he was his authentic self.

“I’m not pretending to be someone else,” Morrison said during the campaign.

“I still wear the same sunglasses. Unfortunately the same suits. I’m about the same size and I don’t mind a piece of Italian cake either… I’m not pretending to be someone else.’

When Mr Albanese was photographed sporting what appeared to be a rejuvenated complexion during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last September, it even led some experts to suggest he had injected Botox.

Dr. Naomi McCullum, owner of The Manse clinic in Sydney, suggested cosmetic treatments could be at play.

“When I look at the footage from his last press conference, his skin looks a little smoother and plumper,” Dr Naomi told Daily Mail Australia.

“Has he had a laser, or the newly released injectable Profhilo? Or did he use cosmetic skin care?’

Profhilo is a type of injectable in which a moisturizing treatment with hyaluronic acid is applied under the skin to create a subtle plumping effect.

Mr Albanese later laughed off the suggestion that he had undergone botox or similar treatment.

“Seriously, I think whoever wrote that article had Botox in the wrong place,” he said when asked if he’d had any cosmetic work from Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa.

However, he did give a tip for weight loss that he ate two eggs for breakfast and avoided carbs or snacking between meals.

Clinical nutritionist Lee Holmes of Super charged food suggested Mr Albanese’s recent health kick could be to blame for his improved skin tone in Japan.

“He certainly looks healthier, his skin is plumper and more even. Eating healthier can certainly improve appearance,” Ms Holmes told the Daily Mail Australia at the time.

As for its glow, weight loss doesn’t always mean cleaner skin, as losing weight on a low-calorie, low-nutrient diet can leave skin dull and lifeless.

Mr Albanese has been open about his incredible weight loss, having lost 20kg in less than a year prior to his election campaign against Scott Morrison.

The politician dramatically transformed his physique by abstaining from alcohol for three months, cutting carbs, taking long walks and installing a treadmill in his office in Canberra.

He also plays tennis twice a week and regularly goes on bike rides around town.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in May, Mr Albanese said the secret to his incredible transformation is “dedication and discipline”.

“It’s not easy when you’re in your late 50s to lose 20 pounds, but I’ve done it without checking anything other than what you’re putting in and what you’re doing in terms of just the food choices,” he said.

Mr Albanese also revealed how surviving a car accident in January 2021 inspired him to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

“When you’re in a head-on car accident and a Range Rover comes at you and you survive, you think about your health, and that really made me determined to do that. I am proud,” he said.

The politician, who enjoys red wine and craft beer, also pointed out the importance of moderation when it comes to dieting.

‘I am careful but not fanatical. I think that’s also key — done in that period. I have another beer. I had a kebab last week. But I haven’t had many,” he explained.

“So it’s just a matter of being sensible and really health conscious.” And I have to say, I have so much more energy.

“It’s given me a boost and for someone who has back problems from accidents – I’ve been in three major car accidents in my life, well, two in a car and one on a motorcycle – less weight means my back is better, it makes me feel much better,” he said.

Mr. Albanian used to eat cereal and pasta and potatoes for lunch and dinner, but now he eats mostly no carbohydrates.

“Now I have eggs for breakfast instead of cereal and usually eat meat and a few veggies for dinner,” he said.