Bill Hayden was a former Australian politician and governor-general who died on 21 October 2023 at the age of 90. He was a leader of the Labor Party, a minister in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, and the head of state from 1988 to 1996. He was known for his achievements in social welfare, foreign affairs, and constitutional matters. He was also a convert to Catholicism in his later years. In this post, we will learn more about Bill Hayden’s age, wiki, bio, family, career, net worth and more.
Bill Hayden Biography Profile
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | William George Hayden |
| Nick Name | Bill |
| Date of Birth | 23 January 1933 |
| Birth Place | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Age (as of 2023) | 90 (deceased) |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Profession | Politician, Governor-General of Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Home Town/State | Brisbane, Queensland |
| School | Brisbane State High School |
| College | University of Queensland |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Economics |
| Religion | Atheist (converted to Catholicism in 2018) |
| Hobbies | N/A |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | N/A |
Early Life and Education
Bill Hayden was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on 23 January 1933. He was the son of George Hayden, a railway worker, and Frances Higgins, a domestic servant. He had a difficult childhood, as his father was an alcoholic and his mother suffered from mental illness. He left school at the age of 15 and worked as a public servant, then a police officer. He studied economics part-time at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1958.
Family Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Father Name | George Hayden |
| Mother Name | Frances Higgins |
| Wife/Husband | Dallas Broadfoot (m. 1958) |
| Children | Michael Hayden, Deborah Hayden, Stephen Hayden, Ingrid Hayden |
Career Highlight:
Bill Hayden entered federal politics in 1961, winning the seat of Oxley for the Labor Party. He served as a minister in the Whitlam government from 1972 to 1975, holding the portfolios of social security and treasury. He introduced the single mother’s pension and the universal health insurance scheme that became Medicare. He became the leader of the opposition after Whitlam’s dismissal and defeat in 1975.
He led Labor to a narrow loss in the 1980 election, but resigned in 1983 to make way for Bob Hawke. He was appointed as foreign minister in the Hawke government, where he played a key role in advancing Australia’s relations with Asia and the Pacific. He resigned from politics in 1988 and was appointed as the governor-general of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II. He served as the head of state until 1996, presiding over several constitutional crises and controversies.
He was widely respected for his dignity and impartiality in the role. He retired from public life after his term ended and lived in Ipswich, Queensland. He died on 21 October 2023 at the age of 90.
Physical Stats and More:
There is no reliable information available about Bill Hayden’s physical stats and more.
