Penny Wong is a prominent Australian politician who currently serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate.
With his principled approach and intellectual prowess, Wong has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted politicians.
She is a committed member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and has served as a senator for South Australia since 2002.
Wong has made significant contributions in various government roles, including Minister for Climate Change and Finance and Deregulation.
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- Full Name: Penelope Ying-Yen Wong
- Date of birth: November 5, 1968
- Age: 54 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Nationality: Australian
- Occupation: Politician
- Parents: Francis Wong and Jane Wong
- Siblings: One younger brother
- Relationship Status: Dating
- Partner: Sophie Allouache
- Children: Two daughters
- Net worth: $8 million
Early life and education
Penelope Ying-Yen Wong, also known as Penny Wong, 55 years old, was born on 5 November 1968 in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia.
Her father, Francis Wong, is a Malaysian Chinese man of Cantonese and Hakka descent, while her mother, Jane Wong (née Chapman), is British-Australian.
The couple met in the early 1960s when Francis was studying architecture at the University of Adelaide. Wong grew up speaking Malay, Chinese and English.
At the age of eight, Wong moved to Adelaide, South Australia with her mother and younger brother after her parents separated.
She attended Coromandel Valley Primary School before receiving a scholarship to Scotch College in Adelaide. Wong excelled in her studies and participated in extracurricular activities, including studying French and co-captaincy of the hockey team.
She attended the University of Adelaide, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws with honours.
She also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of South Australia. During her university studies, Wong became involved in left-wing activism and joined the Labor Party.
Personal life
Penny Wong is openly lesbian and was in a relationship with Sophie Allouache, a civil servant and former president of the University of Adelaide Students’ Association.
The couple have two daughters, both of whom were conceived through IVF using donor sperm. Wong is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and played a key role in legalizing same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017.
Career
After completing her education, Penny began her professional career as a solicitor at Duncan and Hannon. Prior to entering politics, she also worked as a legal officer for the Liquor, Hotel and Sundry Federation.
In 2002, she was elected as a senator for South Australia, becoming a member of the Australian Parliament. She has held a number of ministerial positions throughout her career, including Minister for Climate Change and Minister for Finance and Deregulation.
Penny is a strong advocate for action on climate change and represented Australia at international conferences, such as the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
She is an influential figure in the Australian Labor Party, serving as Leader of the Government in the Senate and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
She has been recognized for her political leadership and was named the 2018 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year.
Net worth
Penny Wong’s net worth is estimated at $8 million.
Social media
- Instagram Name: @pennywongmp
- Twitter Username: @SenatorWong
