Julie Bishop, 62, named one of Australia’s sexiest people

Who says you can’t feel sexy at 60? Renowned for her impeccable style, Julie Bishop, 62, has been named one of Who’s Sexiest People for 2018.

After months of build up Who magazine — which over the years has featured the likes of Jennifer Hawkins and Megan Gale on the cover — has finally released this year’s sexiest Aussies, and the former foreign minister and Liberal Party deputy leader was one of 30 Aussies who made the cut. She also appeared in a glamorous shoot that featured on the cover.

Bishop told Who magazine:  “Politicians and sexiness is often not associated. Politicians and sex — that’s often in the same sentence!”

The 62-year-old added: “I am the first woman to challenge for the leadership of the Liberal Party in its history. I am very proud of that fact.”

Project hosts Carrie Bickmore, 37, and Lisa Wilkinson, 58, were also featured on the signature list, as well as Rebecca Gibney, 53.

Who magazine took to social media website Instagram to celebrate the news with the caption: “Our cover stars the powerful, beautiful and remarkable Julie Bishop, Carrie Bickmore and Elyse Knowles.”

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Adoring fans were quick to comment, with one writing: “What a great bunch of strong women.”

Another added: “Great choice of women — intelligent, powerful and inspirational.”

Read more: ‘If you are trying to be a man, it’s a waste of a woman’: Bishop

It comes after Bishop delivered a powerful speech about women and leadership at a Future Women’s event on Tuesday night. Speaking to a packed room of 360 people, the 62-year-old gave a raw and honest account of her time in politics and what it is like being a woman in power. 

Bishop discussed everything from her appointment as the first ever Australian female minister for foreign affairs in 2013 to the leadership spill that resulted in her stepping down from one of the most powerful positions in the country. However, it was her explanation of leadership styles that sparked the biggest response as she described women’s leadership style as transformational and men’s as transactional.

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“What I mean by that, and what the research shows, is that women are more likely to be emotionally engaged with the individuals, they are more likely to be empathetic and sensitive to the needs of those individuals, to pursue professional development to achieve the goals of their team,” she explained to the audience, which included the likes of Liberal MP Julia Banks and newly elected Wentworth representative Dr Kerryn Phelps.

In August, the member for Curtin stepped down from her position as deputy leader of the Liberal Party and minister for foreign affairs after losing the vote for prime minster in the leadership spill that toppled Malcolm Turnbull.

While there was plenty of speculation that her time in parliament was over, the 62-year-old later confirmed that she will recontest her Western Australian seat of Curtin at the next federal election.

Do you think Julie Bishop deserved to be named one of Australia’s sexiest women? What are your thoughts?