Mrs Prime Minister – Public Image, Private Lives opens 23 July at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and runs until 27 November 2011.

This highly popular exhibition features the 26 remarkable women who have filled the role of Prime Minister’s wife from 1901 to 2010, and includes previously-unseen images from their private collections.

It reveals the person ‘behind the title’, examining the unique contribution, style and structure each brought to the position, and explores the realities of being the partner of one of the nation’s most powerful men—including the difficulties of trying to balance public and private life, the glamour, the hardships, the passions, the constant travel, and of course, the politics.

Designed around eight core themes, the exhibition explores the multi-faceted roles played by Prime Ministers’ wives, including social advocate, political partner, national hostess, ambassador and media personality. The exhibition also reveals the history of the Lodge, spills secrets about what goes on behind closed doors and investigates how, over time, individual women have changed the role.

Visit the exhibition website.