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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

This is a black-and-white portrait of Prime Minister Harold Holt.

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  3. Australia's prime ministers
  4. Harold Holt
  5. Harold Holt: fast facts

Harold Holt: fast facts

Harold Holt was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1966 to 1967.

Personal profile

Born

5 August 1908, Stanmore, New South Wales

Education

University of Melbourne (1927-30)

Employment

  • politician
  • soldier, Australian Army (22 May to 20 October 1940)

Marriage

8 October 1946, Toorak, Victoria

Children

  • Nicholas (1937)
  • Sam and Andrew (1939)

Died

Official date 19 December 1967, near Portsea, Victoria

Buried

Remains not recovered

Honours

  • Privy Councillor (1953)
  • Companion of Honour (CH; 1967)

Partner

Name

Zara Kate Holt

Previous name

Zara Kate Fell (formerly Dickens)

Born

10 March 1909, Kew, Victoria

Died

14 June 1989, Surfers Paradise, Queensland

Honours

Dame Commander, Order of the British Empire (DBE; 1968)

Political profile

Term as Prime Minister

26 January 1966 to 18 December 1967

Terms as Member of Parliament 

  • House of Representatives:
    • August 1935 to December 1949 (Fawkner)
    • 22 February 1949 to 19 December 1967 (Higgins)
  • Advisory War Council: 29 October 1940 to October 1941

Portfolios

  • Labour and National Service: 29 October 1940 to 7 October 1941
  • Minister in charge of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research: 29 October 1940 to 7 October 1941
  • Immigration: 19 December 1949 to 24 October 1956
  • Labour and National Service: 19 December 1949 to 10 December 1958
  • Treasury: 10 December 1958 to 26 January 1966

Political memberships

  • United Australia Party (1933-45)
  • Liberal Party February (1945-67)
    • federal parliamentary leader (26 January 1966 to 18 December 1967)

Died in office

In this section: Harold Holt

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Want some help?

Our research tips and guides could help you find what you need

Help with your research

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Robert Menzies

Robert Menzies

1939–1941
1949–1966

Portrait of John McEwen.

John McEwen

1967–1968

Portrait of John Gorton.

John Gorton

1968–1971

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

Explore the stories of each prime minister's time in office through official and personal records held by the National Archives.

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