.jpg)
Born in 1958, Thérèse Rein is a trained psychologist. She grew up in Adelaide and then attended the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters Qualifying (psychology).
As a psychologist, her specialisation is in the field of clinical depression. She is also a trained rehabilitation counsellor, assisting those affected by injury to find new careers and gain employment.
She met her husband, the Hon Kevin Rudd, when they were both students at ANU. In November 2009 they celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary.
They have three children: Jessica; Nicholas and Marcus.
Ms Rein accompanied Kevin on various postings when he was a diplomat to Australian Embassies in Stockholm and Beijing. During this time she worked and studied.
Ms Rein is also an entrepreneur who, in 1989, founded a business which started by assisting people with disabilities return to or enter the workforce.
Her company now only delivers services outside Australia assisting highly disadvantaged people to fully participate in the workforce.
Her professional success has led her to promote greater self-employment and entrepreneurship amongst women.
Ms Rein has a passion for the arts and is particularly interested in East Asian fine arts, indigenous Australian contemporary art, dance, music and gardens.
As a member of the Honorary Board of the International Paralympic Committee, Ms Rein lends active support to the paralympic movement in Australia.
She is Children's Champion of the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
