| Lidia Thorpe Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 6 in |
| Weight | 59 kg |
| Year of Birth | 1973 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Lidia Thorpe is an Australian independent politician who has served as the senator for Victoria since 2020. She is also the first Aboriginal senator from that state.
Born Name
Lidia Alma Thorpe
Nick Name
Lidia
Age
Lidia was born in 1973.
Born Place
Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Nationality
Education
Lidia studied at Gold Street Primary School in Clifton Hill. Later, she went on to attend Year 7 at Fitzroy High School, and Year 8 at Collingwood High, only to return to Fitzroy High School to complete Year 9. However, she decided to drop out at the age of 14.
She pursued a Diploma of Community Development from Swinburne University of Technology which is a Certificate IV Indigenous Leadership.
Occupation
Politician
Family
- Father – Roy Illingworth
- Mother – Marjorie Thorpe (Co-Commissioner for the Stolen Generations Inquiry)
- Siblings – Meriki Onus (Co-Founded Of The Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) Collective)
- Others – Alma Beryl Thorpe (Maternal Grandmother) (Australian Aboriginal Elder), Robert “Robbie” Thorpe (Maternal Uncle) (Activist, Presenter of Fire First)
Build
Average
Height
5 ft 6 in or 167.5 cm
Weight
59 kg or 130 lbs
Boyfriend / Spouse
Lidia has dated –
- James Brown – Lidia was married to James Brown who is of Scottish/Australian descent.
- Dean Martin (2021) – Lidia had been in a relationship with the ex-president of the Rebels outlaw bikie gang, Dean Martin in 2021, whom she continues to be friends with.
- Gavan McFadzean (2019-2022) – She dated Gavan McFadzean who is the manager of the Australian Conservation Foundation‘s Climate Change and Clean Energy Program.
Note: At the age of 17, Lidia became a single mother. She is a mother to three children and four grandchildren.
Race / Ethnicity
White
Lidia is of English, Irish, DjabWurrung, Gunnai, and Gunditjmara descent.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Strong jawline
- She has a tattoo across her left forearm.
Lidia Thorpe Facts
- She was raised in Housing Commission flats in Collingwood.
- Aside from politics, Lidia also plays Australian rules football and netball.
- One of her earliest jobs was with her uncle at Koori Information Centre at 120 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. At the time, it was “a hub of Black political activity”.
- In the past, Lidia had been working as an Aboriginal employment adviser for the Municipal Association of Victoria. She also served as the president of the Lakes Entrance Basketball Association for three consecutive years.
- She was chosen to be a member of the school council of the Nowa Nowa Primary School and as a project manager with the East Gippsland Shire Council in the past.
- Thorpe declared bankrupt in 2013, with debts going more than A$700,000, including owing A$55,000 to the Australian Taxation Office. Due to this, she found herself in domestic violence with her ex-husband who was an alcoholic. Lidia was discharged from bankruptcy in 2016.
- From 2014 to 2017, Lidia served as the co-chair of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee.
- She made her mark in politics after winning a seat in Northcote at the 2017 by-election on November 18, 2017. She received 45.22% of the primary vote, which later became 50.93% after the distribution of preferences, and was sworn in as a member of parliament on November 28, 2017.
- At the 2018 Victorian state election, she lost her seat to Labor candidate Kat Theophanous. Lidia’s term ended on December 19, 2018.
- Lidia has been a delegate for the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.
- Her grandmother Alma was one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.
- On June 14, 2023, Thorpe accused Senator David Van of “s*xual assault” during parliament. However, the accusations were denied by the senator.
Featured Image By Lidia Thorpe / Instagram
