From single mum to political powerhouse: Pauline Hanson's remarkable revelation

Standing before a packed crowd at Brisbane's Conservative Political Action Conference, Pauline Hanson received thunderous applause as she was introduced as 'one of the most recognisable figures in Australian politics' who has spent 'nearly three decades standing up for national sovereignty, border protection, and the forgotten voices of regional and working Australians.'

But what came next surprised even her most ardent supporters.

The One Nation leader, now 70, opened up about a chapter of her life rarely discussed in public—her struggles as a broke single mother at just 21 years old, abandoned by her husband with two young children and no support system.

A rare glimpse behind the political persona

Born Pauline Lee Seccombe on 27 May 1954 in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba, she was the fifth of seven children to John Alfred 'Jack' Seccombe and Hannorah Alousius Mary 'Norah' Seccombe.

Her education ended at age 15, shortly before her first marriage and pregnancy, having spent her childhood working in her parents' fish and chip shop in Ipswich alongside her siblings.

The timeline she revealed at CPAC paints a picture of extraordinary hardship. Married at 16, a mother at 17, and abandoned at 21 with two little ones to feed—this was Australia in the mid-1970s, when single mothers faced significant stigma and had limited access to government support.

'I didn't have enough money to feed us but I made sure the kids were looked after,' she told the crowd, her voice carrying the weight of those memories. 'I had a part-time job to try and pay the bills. I had no assistance, no help, nothing, not a cent.'

The making of a work ethic

What shaped Hanson's legendary determination wasn't just her personal struggles, but watching her father's incredible dedication to providing for his large family. Jack Seccombe worked 106 hours a week for 25 years—a staggering commitment that left an indelible mark on his daughter.

'It's taught me resilience to stand on my own two feet,' she explained to the CPAC audience. 'No one owes you anything. The world owes you nothing, and I'm sick and tired of seeing people out there play the victim.'

This philosophy, forged in the crucible of abandonment and financial desperation, would later become central to her political messaging. Her hands-on approach to work—from 'doing the guttering, doing blockages, going to neighbours' places rewashing taps' while helping her second husband's plumbing business—resonates with many Australians who've built their lives through sheer determination.

From fish and chips to federal parliament

Hanson's journey to politics began with running a fish and chip shop before entering local politics in 1994 as a member of Ipswich City Council, joining the Liberal Party in 1995. Her rise was meteoric and controversial—disendorsed by the Liberals shortly before the 1996 election for contentious comments about Aboriginal Australians, but winning the seat of Oxley as an independent before co-founding One Nation in 1997.

The personal story she shared at CPAC helps explain the fierce independence and anti-establishment sentiment that has defined her nearly three-decade political career. Her experience of receiving 'no help, nothing, not a cent' as a struggling single mother clearly informs her scepticism of what she sees as victim mentality in modern politics.

A new chapter: please explain the movie

Beyond the personal revelations, Hanson also announced an exciting development for her supporters. The popular 'Please Explain' cartoon series—featuring animated versions of political figures including herself—is being adapted into a feature-length film set for release on Australia Day.

'People are saying, 'Pauline—where are your cartoons? We want to see your cartoons,'' she told the crowd. 'Well, the big surprise is, we're actually putting out the movie. Hopefully it goes worldwide—so wait for that one. I'm very proud of it.'

Why this matters now

Recent polling shows the Coalition struggling with a 'paltry 27 per cent primary vote, and One Nation surging to a concerning 10 per cent' - described as 'a full-blown crisis fueled by teal independents snapping up urban voters and the populist wave spearheaded by Pauline Hanson and One Nation.'

In this context, Hanson's personal story serves multiple purposes. It humanises a figure who has often been portrayed as divisive, while reinforcing the themes of self-reliance and hard work that appeal to her base. For many older Australians who remember the challenges of single parenthood before modern support systems, her story resonates deeply.

A lasting impact

Whether you agree with her politics or not, there's something undeniably compelling about Hanson's journey from a broke 21-year-old single mum to one of Australia's most enduring political figures. Her story speaks to themes that many Australians understand: the dignity of work, the importance of self-reliance, and the power of persistence in the face of adversity.

As she told the CPAC crowd, her work ethic came from necessity - 'I made sure the kids were looked after.' That maternal determination, forged in desperation all those years ago, continues to drive her political mission today.

What do you think about Hanson's candid revelations? Do her early struggles help explain her political positions, or do you see her story differently? Share your thoughts below—we'd love to hear how her journey resonates with your own experiences of overcoming challenges.