Nadia Bartel has broken her silence to reveal she is heartbroken by the breakdown of her marriage to former AFL champion Jimmy Bartel.
The mum of two and successful businesswoman has been coming to terms with recent revelations which have contributed to the end of their decade-long relationship.
She told the Herald Sun: “It’s been a very difficult month for me and the boys. Although I’m heartbroken, I don’t want to comment specifically on what’s been reported about Jim’s trip to the UK as I don’t think that is in anyone’s interests. My single focus now is to continue to protect, care and provide for my two beautiful boys as this is a personal matter. I am so thankful for my very supportive family and friends.”
Friends of the couple, who have two boys, Aston, 3 and Henley, nine months-old, have confirmed she found out about Bartel’s long-term relationship with UK based Melbourne girl Lauren Mand via text messages.
He flew to London six weeks ago during the AFL’s bye period and the couple separated upon his return. He has since moved out of the family home.
The Bartels’ split came to light last week after rumours surfaced when they unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Nadia, who started popular lifestyle blog The Chronicles Of Nadia, also runs a successful online fashion business called The Connection.
A popular figure on Melbourne’s social scene, she married Jimmy in February 2014 in a lavish ceremony on the Bellarine Peninsula, after he popped the question on a private Mexico beach.
At the time she said it was “the most magical day of my entire life”, describing her new husband as “the man of my dreams”.
Triple-premiership player Jimmy, 35, played 305 games for Geelong in a storied career spanning 14 years, winning the Brownlow Medal in 2007 and the Norm Smith Medal in 2011. He was an All-Australian in 2007 and 2008.
He retired from playing at the end of the 2016 season and is now a respected AFL match commentator on TV and radio. He has also taken up roles with Our Watch to campaign against disrespect towards women.
He has previously posted: “Proud to announce I’m teaming up with @ourwatch on their #DoingNothingDoesHarm campaign to highlight that disrespectful behaviour towards woman (sic) is never ok.”
Bartel addressed his personal situation when he fronted up to work on Saturday on 3AW’s pre-game AFL coverage.
“It’s not great, but I am probably not going to provide any commentary on it,” Bartel said.
“I know I am in the public eye and people are interested, but it is a private matter and I ask for a bit of respect because obviously Nadia and the boys (are) involved.
“I still enjoy coming to work and I love working with everybody in football. I love the game so I can’t see why I wouldn’t keep showing up for work.”
Bartel also worked on Channel 7’s Game Day show on Sunday and is a regular commentator with the network.
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Last Thursday, Nadia posted a cryptic quote on Instagram, that has since been deleted, which appeared to be about friends and family who have supported her.
“People who resonate with your energy will always be there. Y’all are on the same frequency you are aligned together. It’s a soul family. Know your members. You know who you are,” she wrote with a kiss.
Bartel is due to attend a Women Driving Change luncheon with Mercedes-Benz Melbourne next Wednesday.
Last year she and Jimmy were co-hosts on the Brownlow red carpet coverage for Channel 7 and Nadia is expected to again be part of the coverage next month.
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