Former Australian Liberal Party heavyweight and ex-treasurer Joe Hockey has reportedly separated from his wife of 31 years, high-flying businesswoman Melissa Babbage. The couple, who share three children, have not publicly confirmed the split.
A Political Power Couple Parts Ways
According to reports, Joe Hockey, 60, has moved out of the family's lavish Hunters Hill home and into a flat in Milsons Point on Sydney's northern harbour. Melissa Babbage, 59, is said to remain in the marital residence. The pair, who met at a Young Liberals event in Sydney in 1991 and married in 1994, declined to comment on the situation when approached by media.
Hockey served as federal treasurer in the Liberal government from 2013 to 2015 and was later Australia's ambassador to the United States from 2016 to 2020. Often tipped as a future Liberal leader during his political career, he became a familiar face on breakfast television, notably for his spirited debates with then-opposition leader Kevin Rudd on Seven's Sunrise.
Building a Life and a Multi-Million Dollar Portfolio
Together, Hockey and Babbage built a significant property empire estimated to be worth around $10 million. Their portfolio has included:
- A cattle station in North Queensland, later listed for $1.5 million in 2015.
- A getaway home in Stanwell Tops, south of Sydney.
- Two neighbouring mansions in the upscale Sydney suburb of Hunters Hill.
They purchased their first Hunters Hill home, 'Te Roma', in 2004 for $3.5 million before acquiring the historic 'Wybalena House' for $7.815 million in 2018. 'Te Roma' was subsequently sold for $8 million.
Babbage, a former athlete who tried out for the 1988 Olympics in the 400m sprint, had a successful career in finance. She was head of foreign exchange and global finance for Deutsche Bank and is currently the head of finance and operations at Bondi Global Partners, an investment firm founded by Hockey.
Family, Scrutiny, and a Life in the Spotlight
The couple are parents to three children: sons Xavier, 20, and Ignatius, 14, and daughter Adelaide, 18. Babbage gave birth to Ignatius while holding her senior role at Deutsche Bank.
Their affluent lifestyle occasionally drew criticism during Hockey's time in politics. In 2010, Hockey was reported to have defended their wealth by stating the money largely belonged to his wife. Hockey's own background was one of privilege, having attended the elite St Aloysius' College and St John's College at the University of Sydney, where he began his political journey as president of the Student Representative Council.
Hockey retired from politics in 2015. The reported separation marks the end of a three-decade union for one of Australia's most prominent political and business couples.
