Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes resigns to care for her ailing spouse.

Sophie Wilmès, Belgium's foreign minister, has announced that she will take a leave of absence to care for her husband, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

Ms. Wilmès, who is also deputy prime minister, will go on vacation until "the end of the summer," when she and her family will reevaluate the situation.

She claims she took the decision "in complete consultation with the Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement that Ms. Wilmès' pick "commands the highest respect."

Mr. De Croo went on to say that the minister would not formally quit from the cabinet, but that her duties would be temporarily handed to other ministries through "a royal proclamation."

Ms. Wilmès married her Australian husband Chris Stone in 2009 and served as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2020.

He is the vice-president of the Belgian branch of Australian Business in Europe since 2012. He was a former Australian Rules footballer with St Kilda.

They have three daughters together. Mr. Stone also has a child from a previous marriage.

"The disease has unexpectedly entered our lives, particularly that of my husband, Christopher, who, like far too many men, women, and even children, must now begin his struggle against aggressive brain cancer," Ms. Wilmès wrote in a message on Twitter.

"Being a minister necessitates rigor, availability, and absolute devotion," she continued, "which would prevent me from providing the assistance and comfort that Christopher and our children will require during this terrible time."

Mr. De Croo announced that he would temporarily take over as foreign minister from Ms. Wilmès.

"In a situation like this, the spouse, the mother, takes precedence. Sophie, Christopher, and their children have my best wishes for courage and strength "Mr. De Croo explained.