After weeks of speculation that Nadia Bartel and her husband Jimmy had called time on their five-year marriage, the lifestyle blogger has finally broken her silence.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, the “heartbroken” 34-year-old— who shares sons Aston, 3, and Henley, nine months with Jimmy— said she’s having a “difficult” time coming to terms with their separation as she also grapples with claims the retired Geelong football player has since moved on with UK based socialite Lauren Mand.
While she steered the conversation away from discussing his new relationship, a friend told the outlet that Nadia discovered Jimmy’s new romance with Lauren through text message.
WATCH: Jimmy Bartel breaks his silence on split from wife Nadia
“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,” Nadia told the Heral Sun.
“My single focus now is to continue to protect, care and provide for my two beautiful boys as this is a personal matter.”
Last week, Jimmy spoke alluded to the breakdown of their marriage on 3AW’s pre-match coverage, admitting that the situation is “not great”.
“I am probably not going to provide any commentary on it,” the retired footy player 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 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.”
Their comments come days after the 34-year-old was bashed on Instagram, with one nasty user suggesting she might want to avoid flying with budget airline Jetstar in case she bumps into her ex-husband’s rumoured new girlfriend. The troll also said the retired AFL star had “upgraded” to somebody that has “a real job and an actual personality”.
As expected, dozens of fans flocked to the WAG’s defence.
“What a cold-hearted, unnecessary and insensitive thing to say. Glad you’re making good use of your Friday night… Shame on you,” one follower said, defending Nadia, who currently runs an online fashion business called The Connection.
In response to this comment, the vicious user wrote: “Well, if they have a breakdown over one comment, maybe get off Insta and spend more time in the real world. Getting a real job might help also #notsorry.”
After noticing the cruel remark, Nadia hit back at accusations she doesn’t have a “real job”.
“Try writing from a real account. Don’t hide. I have numerous real jobs,” she wrote.
The relentless troll responded, calling her a “pretender” and a “try hard Kardashian”, as well as saying “it’s fascinating watching Nadia’s world crumble when it was so “Insta perfect”.
Earlier this month, eagle-eyed also noticed Nadia hadn’t been wearing her wedding ring in her social media posts, adding to speculation they’d broken up. The seemingly perfect couple also unfollowed each other on Instagram, with many pointing out neither has appeared on their spouse’s feed in months.
Though Nadia hadn’t addressed their split at that point, a cryptic story uploaded to Nadia’s Instagram appeared to suggest as much, hinting that she’s being comforted by the support of close friends at this time.
“People who resonate with your energy will always be there,” read the aspirational post she shared. “It’s soul family. Know your members.”
Nadia’s addition to the post was a kiss emoji with the words: “You all know who you are.”
The couple first got together in 2008 at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, and had been inseparable until recent times. They married at the Bellarine Peninsula in February 2014, and share two beautiful boys.
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