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AAP
AAP
Kat Wong

Dallas Hayden dies months after Labor leader spouse

Bill Hayden's widow Dallas Hayden has died three months after the former governor-general. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Dallas Hayden, the wife of former governor-general and Labor leader Bill Hayden, has died at age 87, three months after the death of her husband.

The Haydens had been married for more than six decades, and endured the entirety of Mr Hayden's political career as he rose from Labor MP to architect of universal health care to federal opposition leader to governor-general.

The two eventually retired to a farm on the edge of Ipswich in Queensland, largely retreating from public life before Mr Hayden died aged 90 in October.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Ms Hayden had followed her husband to the grave.

"Like all in the Labor family, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dallas Hayden," Mr Albanese said.

"Dallas was a person of wonderful warmth and great depth, kind and gracious to strangers and friends alike. "She spent many years playing supporting roles in public life and her optimism, her quiet courage and her strength of character were a powerful source of inspiration for her adoring husband, Bill."

The prime minister offered his condolences to Ms Hayden's family and friends on behalf of the Labor Party and the government.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also paid tribute to Ms Hayden, recognising her importance to the nation.

"A parliamentarian is blessed when they have a spouse at their side whose devotion, patience, level-headedness and love strengthens them as an individual," he said in a statement.

"Dallas Hayden was such a wife to Bill Hayden and a woman who served her country with honour and grace alongside her husband."

Ms Hayden is survived by her children Georgina, Ingrid and Kirk.

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