Who Is Bob Hawke? Age, Biography and Wiki
Bob Hawke was born on December 9, 1929, making him 95 years old in 2025. A member of the Australian Labor Party, Hawke served as Prime Minister for nearly eight years and is remembered for various reforms that modernized Australia's economy. His political career began as the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 1970 to 1980, where he championed workers' rights and advocated for social justice.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1929 |
| Age | 89 Years |
| Birth Place | Border Town, South Australia, Australia |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | Australia |
| Date of death | 16 May, 2019 |
| Died Place | Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia |
Popularity
Bob Hawke's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In his prime, Bob Hawke stood at approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weighed around 77 kg (170 lbs). His robust physical presence was matched by his distinctively charming personality, which allowed him to connect with both Australians and international leaders alike.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Bob Hawke was previously married to Hazel Hawke from 1956 until their divorce in 1995. They have three children together: Sue, Ross, and Stephen. In 1997, he married his longtime partner, Blanche D'Alpuget, who is also a well-known author. Their relationship has garnered significant media attention over the years, reflecting the dynamic and sometimes tumultuous nature of their lives.
As of 2025, Hawke remains in a loving relationship with D'Alpuget, and they continue to support each other in their respective endeavors.
In 1956, Hawke accepted a scholarship to undertake doctoral studies in the area of arbitration law in the law department at the Australian National University in Canberra. Soon after his arrival at ANU, he became the students' representative on the University Council.
A year later, he was recommended to the President of the ACTU to become a research officer, replacing Harold Souter who had become ACTU Secretary. The recommendation was made by Hawke's mentor at ANU, H. P. Brown, who for a number of years had assisted the ACTU in national wage cases.
Hawke decided to abandon his doctoral studies and accept the offer, moving to Melbourne with his wife Hazel.
Net Worth and Salary
Bob Hawke's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $10 million. Throughout his career, he earned substantial income from his time in office, various speaking engagements, and his involvement in business ventures. Hawke’s financial acumen also led him to invest wisely, contributing to his wealth post-politics.
He attended the University of Western Australia and went on to study at University College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1956, Hawke joined the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) as a research officer.
Having risen to become responsible for national wage case arbitration, he was elected as president of the ACTU in 1969, where he achieved a high public profile. In 1973, he was appointed as president of the Labor Party.
Career, Business and Investments
Before entering politics, Bob Hawke was a successful businessman and trade union leader. His political career began with his election to the House of Representatives in 1980. As Prime Minister, he implemented reforms in health care, education, and labor laws, earning him a reputation for being a pragmatic leader.
After leaving office, Hawke remained active in the public sphere as a speaker and consultant. He also engaged in various investment projects and philanthropy, demonstrating a commitment to social issues, particularly related to education and healthcare.
In June 1991, Hawke faced a leadership challenge by the Treasurer, Paul Keating, but Hawke managed to retain power; however, Keating mounted a second challenge six months later, and won narrowly, replacing Hawke as prime minister.
Hawke subsequently retired from parliament, pursuing both a business career and a number of charitable causes, until his death in 2019, aged 89. Hawke remains his party's longest-serving Prime Minister, and Australia's third-longest-serving prime minister behind Robert Menzies and John Howard.
He is also the only prime minister to be born in South Australia and the only one raised and educated in Western Australia. Hawke holds the highest-ever approval rating for an Australian prime minister, reaching 75% approval in 1984. Hawke is frequently ranked within the upper tier of Australian prime ministers by historians.
Social Network
Bob Hawke remains a prominent figure on social media, where he often shares insights on politics, society, and personal anecdotes. His social media presence allows him to connect with both older and younger generations, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire activism and community engagement.
Through his role on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Hawke played a leading role in ensuring the Commonwealth initiated an international boycott on foreign investment into South Africa, building on work undertaken by his predecessor Malcolm Fraser, and in the process clashing publicly with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret
Thatcher, who initially favoured a more cautious approach.
The resulting boycott, led by the Commonwealth, was widely credited with helping bring about the collapse of apartheid, and resulted in a high-profile visit by Nelson Mandela in October 1990, months after the latter's release from a 27-year stint in prison.
During the visit, Mandela publicly thanked the Hawke government for the role it played in the boycott.
Education
Hawke received a high-quality education, which laid the foundation for his successful career. He attended the University of Western Australia, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was also awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford, an experience that further developed his understanding of economics and politics.
A number of other new social security benefits were introduced under the Hawke-Keating Government.
In 1984, for instance, a remote area allowance was introduced for pensioners and beneficiaries residing in special areas of Tax Zone A, and in 1985 a special addition to family allowances was made payable (as noted by one study) “to certain families with multiple births (three children or more) until the children reach six years of age.” The fo
llowing year, rent assistance was extended to unemployment beneficiaries, together with a young homeless allowance for sickness and unemployment beneficiaries under the age of 18 who were homeless and didn't have parental or custodial support.
However, the payment of family allowances for student children reaching the age of 18 was discontinued except in the case of certain families on low incomes.
