NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tied the knot with her longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday. The wedding, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, took place at a luxury vineyard in the picturesque Hawke’s Bay region, away from the capital city of Wellington.
The couple kept the details of the event under wraps, with only close family, friends, and a few of Ardern’s former colleagues in attendance.Among the guests was Ardern’s successor and former prime minister Chris Hipkins.
Prior to the wedding, a small group of protesters gathered outside the venue, displaying anti-vaccination posters and voicing their concerns. The couple proceeded with the ceremony despite the disruption caused by the protestors.
Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47, have been together since 2014 and got engaged five years later. However, their wedding plans were put on hold due to the government’s Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings.
Ardern, who became the country’s leader at the age of 37 in 2017, gained international recognition for her leadership style and handling of major crises, including the Christchurch mosque shootings and the early stages of the pandemic. In 2018, she made history as the second elected world leader to give birth while in office.
During her tenure, New Zealand implemented strict Covid-19 mandates, which garnered both support and criticism. Ardern faced unprecedented levels of criticism and vitriol, prompting her decision to step down as prime minister in January 2023, citing personal reasons and the upcoming election.
Following her resignation, Ardern announced her temporary affiliation with Harvard University, where she was appointed to dual fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School. She also took on an unpaid role in combating online extremism.
In recognition of her service during the mass shooting and the pandemic, Ardern was honored with the title of Dame Grand Companion in June, one of New Zealand’s highest honors. She will now be referred to as Dame Jacinda Ardern.
The couple kept the details of the event under wraps, with only close family, friends, and a few of Ardern’s former colleagues in attendance.Among the guests was Ardern’s successor and former prime minister Chris Hipkins.
Prior to the wedding, a small group of protesters gathered outside the venue, displaying anti-vaccination posters and voicing their concerns. The couple proceeded with the ceremony despite the disruption caused by the protestors.
Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47, have been together since 2014 and got engaged five years later. However, their wedding plans were put on hold due to the government’s Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings.
Ardern, who became the country’s leader at the age of 37 in 2017, gained international recognition for her leadership style and handling of major crises, including the Christchurch mosque shootings and the early stages of the pandemic. In 2018, she made history as the second elected world leader to give birth while in office.
During her tenure, New Zealand implemented strict Covid-19 mandates, which garnered both support and criticism. Ardern faced unprecedented levels of criticism and vitriol, prompting her decision to step down as prime minister in January 2023, citing personal reasons and the upcoming election.
Following her resignation, Ardern announced her temporary affiliation with Harvard University, where she was appointed to dual fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School. She also took on an unpaid role in combating online extremism.
In recognition of her service during the mass shooting and the pandemic, Ardern was honored with the title of Dame Grand Companion in June, one of New Zealand’s highest honors. She will now be referred to as Dame Jacinda Ardern.