At the age of 16, Susan Carland was in pursuit of understanding the Islamic faith. To follow her mission, she met the Aly family, who had a son around her age called Waleed.
The two teens blossomed a friendship, but one of them secretly harboured more for the other, and one daring day, Waleed revealed his desire to become something more. But the whip-smart Susan threw him a dagger when she told him, “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last person on earth.”
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A year later, Susan realised her own big feelings for Waleed, and after a well-crafted apology, she asked him if they could go on a date.
Since this is a love story, after all, the Project host accepted her invitation, and during an interview with Meshel Laurie, Susan revealed, “He never lets her forget it.”
In 2002 they wed on the lawns of Melbourne Zoo, and 19 years later, it’s clear that they made a sure bet on each other.
Waleed and Susan have also grown a gorgeous family and are parents to their daughter, Aisha, and son, Zayd.
The peak of their relationship in the public eye came in 2016 when Waleed won the TV Week Gold Logie, and he dedicated the award to his wife with a speech so sweet the whole of Australia swooned.
“If she had my job, she’d be better at it than me,” he began.
“She’s sharper, she’s wittier, she’s funnier, she’s infinitely more charming and likeable, and I’m really glad she doesn’t have my job because otherwise I definitely wouldn’t have it.”
He added: “Everyone who knows her knows that she changes you, and she makes you better. She’s done that in her work, she’s done that in her community work, and they don’t give statuettes to people like that, sadly, but one day if life’s fair, they might just give her a statue.”
It was a blissful moment, and our hearts were further warmed by Susan’s admission on The Binge podcast, which revealed she hadn’t expected the grand declaration.
“When he started to say all that I had tears in my eyes but I really fought them back because I didn’t want it to become about me, I didn’t want TV crews to be saying, ‘Oh she’s crying!’ I wanted it all to be about Waleed, so I kept it together,” she said.
Of course, we believe every word Waleed said because his wife, who is an author, feminist, and respected academic who has dedicated her life to advocating for women’s rights, is rather incredible.
After 16 years of marriage, Susan told TV WEEK the secret behind their success, and please, take notes.
“I think it’s not just that we love each other, we really like each other. I also think it helps that we both feel we married up. When you both think that, it tends to work pretty well,” she shared.
They are one of Australia’s smartest couples, so in honour of their genius, let’s gasp in awe of their love.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
Susan and Waleed are each other’s favourite partners in crime.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
Back when we could travel! Susan captioned this festive selfie, “Hygge (and freezing) in Copenhagen!”
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
In 2021 they posed together for the Hamilton premiere in Sydney.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
Susan absolutely shone in this dazzling look, which she wore to the 2017 TV WEEK Logie Awards.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
“Waleed said these glasses are ugly so now he can’t talk to me either 💅🏼,” she joked in the caption for this picture snapped at an Elton John concert.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
Both Susan and Waleed are passionate about humanitarian issues.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
A special mentions to Susan’s expert colour coordination here.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
The couple posed with their peers Sylvia Jeffreys, Lisa Wilkinson, and a brunette Carrie Bickmore.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
It was the GQ Men Of The Year Awards, but it’s evident that Waleed is the man of the year every day beside Susan.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
After 19 years they still know how to be romantic.
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
These two looked so in love on their big day, and Susan clearly looks back fondly because she wrote on Instagram, “19 years ago today! Guys, I did my own make-up 🥲 💀(also: Men’s suits were massive back then) (yes, I was apparently foreshadowing a Muslim Elsa).”
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
“It’s this handsome devil’s birthday so what better place to wish him a happy birthday than a social media platform that he despises with the fire of a thousand suns! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You’re my favourite and my best.”
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
Susan paired this happy shot with a clever caption. She wrote, “When Waleed promised to build me an equivalent of the Taj Mahal when I die. Sounds legit!” And he better keep that promise!
Waleed Aly’s Susan Carland
You can just feel the love radiating from this picture.
The loved up pair went full glam for the G’Day USA gala in 2022 where Waleed was MC!
”A relaxing holiday sitting in front of a currently-steaming volcano that our guide helpfully informed us is due for a once every 500 year explosion,” Susan shared to her Instagram story in June 2022.
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