Nadia Bartel back in the spotlight, despite shock marriage breakdown

Nadia Bartel says her sons are number one and “everything else comes second to that”, claiming she won’t bow to society pressure to be “perfect all the time”, amid her split from husband Jimmy.

Nadia Bartel is back in the spotlight as a speaker at the Women Driving Change event. Picture: Mark Stewart

Brave Nadia Bartel has returned to the spotlight at a candid in-conversation event in Port Melbourne.

Bartel appeared on the media wall at the Mercedes Benz Melbourne “Women Driving Change” luncheon, marking her first time in the spotlight since the shock split from husband, former AFL star Jimmy Bartel.

Nadia said her number one focus is her boys. Picture: Mark Stewart

At the VIP event, Bartel said her boys are her “number one priority.”

“Everything comes second to that,” she said. “I still want to have goals. I’m passionate about what I do, and I want my children to look up to that, and see mum is doing something she’s passionate about.”

Bartel said she wouldn’t be rocked by community pressure to be “100 per cent perfect all the time.”

She also said she will continue to share her life on social media.

“I’ve always been someone who shares a lot of my life,” she said, then laughed: “I can talk too much. But I love interacting with everyone.”

Picture: Mark Stewart

Bartel said she’s also launching a label, Henne, and another undisclosed fashion project.

She then retreated to a private room ahead of a scheduled Q&A at the event.

The luncheon, organised before Bartel’s marriage breakdown became public, will delve into the professional and personal lives of the participants: fashion celebrity Nadia, businesswoman and former Western Bulldogs vice-president Susan Alberti, and property developer and architect ­Adelene Teh.

Nadia and the boys have been staying with her parents since the split. Picture: Matrix

Jimmy Bartel at the MCG. Picture: Jay Town

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The guest speakers were briefed on talking points including relationships, motherhood, careers, work-life balance, and successes and struggles with being leaders in their respective fields.

Given the split, organisers said the panel discussion would be difficult for Nadia.

But she has honoured her commitment to the event to share her experiences as an agent of change.

Nadia’s high-profile friends have rallied behind her after revelations of Jimmy’s links to UK-based Melbourne socialite Lauren Mand, as well as a second woman, a Melbourne TV identity.

Lauren Mand has been linked to Jimmy Bartel. Picture: Instagram