Bob Hawke

Date of Birth: December 9, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: May 16, 2019

Biography

Robert James Lee Hawke, commonly known as Bob Hawke, was an influential Australian politician who served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991. Born in Bordertown, South Australia, Hawke was educated at the University of Western Australia and later at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Before entering politics, he was a prominent trade union leader, serving as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 1970 to 1980. Hawke joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and entered Parliament in 1980. His charisma and leadership skills soon led to his election as the leader of the ALP in 1983. He then led the party to a decisive victory in the general elections, becoming Prime Minister. Bob Hawke’s tenure is noted for a series of economic reforms, including the deregulation of the financial sector, the floating of the Australian dollar, and the introduction of compulsory superannuation. His government also made significant strides in social policy, including efforts to improve healthcare and education. Hawke’s popularity remained high throughout much of his time in office, and he led the ALP to three more election victories, making him the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister in Australian history. After his political career, he remained active in public life, contributing to various causes and writing his memoirs.

5 Interesting Facts about Bob Hawke

1. Bob Hawke held the world record for beer drinking, having consumed 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds while at Oxford University.

2. He was the first and only Australian Prime Minister born in South Australia.

3. Hawke was known for his emotional displays, famously weeping on national television after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.

4. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1979 for his service to trade unionism and to international and industrial relations.

5. Bob Hawke was a noted cricket enthusiast and even had a bronze statue erected in his honor at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bob Hawke

1. “The things which are most important don’t always scream the loudest.”

2. “There is no doubt that this government is not a reformist government, it’s a repairist government.”

3. “My greatest achievement in life is to have managed to live to 60 without ever growing up.”

4. “I don’t follow policies, I follow principles.”

5. “By 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Bob Hawke’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Bob Hawke had four children with his first wife Hazel Masterson: Susan, Stephen, Roslyn, and Robert Jr. He later married Blanche d’Alpuget, though they did not have children together.