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Tony Abbott is absolutely thrilled about daughter's sudden engagement.

There was an undeniable air of surprise when Frances Abbott, marriage equality campaigner and fitness model, announced her engagement to Olympic rower Sam Loch on Sunday night.

The 26-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott had just weeks ago declared herself “very, very single” in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. Yet there she was, on Instagram, telling the world she is due to marry.

According to the announcement, Abbott has only been dating her new fiance for a fortnight before the question was popped: “Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea,” she wrote.

But despite her declarations that she is “#crazyinlove” and so “#whywait”, we couldn’t help but wonder how her folks reacted – especially the father of the soon-to-be-bride.

Apparently, he’s over the moon.

Details on the couple’s relationship and the proposal are still not known. But it’s believed they met through the Melbourne fitness community, of which they are both heavily involved.

Loch, 34, is a professional rower who has competed for Australia at the Beijing and London Olympic Games, placed second at the 2015 World Indoor Rowing Championships and holds several international Ergometer records.

He recently developed an indoor rowing training program, and provides online fitness coaching.

Abbott, who works as a yoga and Pilates instructor, embraced the fitness world in earnest earlier this year, competing in a Fitness Expo body building event in Melbourne.

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Top Comments

Guest 7 years ago

The cynic in me says he's probably "thrilled" that she's turned out to be safely hetero, rather than springing a "Dad, I'm gay AND I'm marrying a lady" surprise on him.


Milly 7 years ago

I know it's a bit longer but I announced to my parents that I was engaged eight weeks after I met my now husband. We were both 20 years old. Mind you, we did have a 22 month engagement. My parents reacted with complete calm and told me they trusted my judgement. Their faith was justified because we'll be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on 25 May next year. I wish this young couple all the love and happiness in the world.