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Julie Bishop: Five things you need to know

And some might surprise you

After declaring she would be contending for the Liberal party leadership, Julie Bishop could be the second female in history to become Australia’s prime minister, succeeding Julia Gillard.

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But exactly who is Julie Bishop? Here’s what you need to know.

Julie Bishop five things you need to know about new Australian prime minister
Julia Bishop grew up on a farm (Credit: Getty)

She grew up on a farm

Julie grew up on a cherry farm in Adelaide, so she’s a country girl at heart.

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Her family owned an apple and cherry orchard in Adelaide Hills where they raised their four children.

Julie had two sisters MaryLou and Patricia who she shared a room with.

She had a humble upbringing after the Black Sunday fires decimated her family’s land in 1956 the year she was born, with the business only seeing profit in 1970.

Julie Bishop five things you need to know about contender for Australian prime minister
Julie had a humble upbringing (Credit: Getty)
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She’s divorced

Julie was married to wealthy property magnate Neil Gillon for five years but after the couple split in 1988, she went onto have several relationships but never remarried.

In 2014 she met property developer and winemaker David Panton who she’s been with for the past four years.

Julie Bishop five things you need to know about contender for Australian prime minister
Julie chats to Chris Hemsworth (Credit: Getty)
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She’s no feminist

Julie has been brazenly honest about what she thinks about feminism.

She told Stellar last year: ‘If you want to know what I stand for, I am a Liberal. Where do I come from? I am a West Australian. What do I do? I am a foreign minister. Beyond that, I tend not to self-describe. I don’t call myself a Marxist, I don’t call myself a feminist, I don’t call myself a range of things. If others wish to, that’s fine.’

Julieproperty developer and winemaker David Panton
Julie’s partner is property developer and winemaker David Panton (Credit: Getty)
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She’s been in politics for 20 years

Julie is no stranger to politics having held her own in parliament for the past two decades.

She’s highly equipped to take on the role as prime minister having held the role as Acting Prime Minister when Malcolm Turnbull went to Israel.

She’s also held the position as 21C to the Liberal Party for over 10 years.

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Julie Bishop five things you need to know about contender for Australian prime minister
Julie Bishop has been in politics for 20 years (Credit: Getty)

She gets ready in 30 minutes

Julie is a no fuss woman.

She once admitted it takes her less than hour to get ready.

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‘I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready in the mornings. I give myself 30 minutes to shower, dress, do my hair, make-up, and go … it comes with experience,’ Julie told Stellar.

Julie Bishop five things you need to know about contender for Australian prime minister
Julie has a love of designer clothes (Credit: Getty)

She likes designer clothes

She may be able to get ready in 30 minutes but that doesn’t stop Julie loving quality designer wear.

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She’s a big fan of Armani and the Sydney store apparently has her credit card and size details on file, so she can have the latest outfit sent to her in a matter of hours. ‘I try and live within my means,’ Julie told Newscorp, while admitting she would like a wardrobe similar to Carrie’s from Sex and the City.

‘I’m careful with what I spend but I also try to buy clothes that will promote an appropriate image for Australia. Not that I want the clothes to wear me, I wear the clothes, nevertheless it’s overall presentation,’ she added. 

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