AFL star Nathan Buckley reflects on his ‘traumatic’ divorce from wife Tania Minnici after 18 years of marriage
Nathan Buckley revealed on Sunday that separating with his wife-of-18-years, Tania Minnici, in 2020 was one of the most painful things he has ever been through.
The former AFL star, 51, told news.com.au their difficult break up affected his life in a number of unexpected ways.
‘The most traumatic thing that’s happened to me recently was my marriage breaking down,’ he began.
‘The two most important things to me were family and footy. When the family element started breaking down, my immediate family, I lent on football even more.’
Buckley added he was grateful his AFL mates were there for him during the difficult time and said they helped him get his life back on track.
Nathan Buckley, 51, revealed on Sunday that separating with his wife-of-18-years, Tania Minnici, in 2020 was one of the most painful things he has ever been through. (The ex-couple are pictured together in happier times)
He also admitted he’s still struggling to let go of the past, as he still battles with ‘a lot of emotion’, ‘a bit of anger’ and ‘still a bit of mourning’.
Fortunately, Nathan has found love again and is currently dating 34-year-old business manager Brodie Ryan, who he went public with in October last year.
Taking a positive outlook, Buckley said: ‘That’s life … you don’t control it all. I feel very fortunate to have met a partner in Brodie that I love and respect. Life is good.’
The former AFL star told news.com.au their difficult break up affected his life in a number of unexpected ways
Nathan and Tania got married in December 2002 and announced their separation in December 2020, almost 18 years to the day they wed.
The pair issued a statement via Tania’s Instagram page at the time, publicly announcing they’d separated almost a year before.
They share two teenage sons, Jett, 17, and Ayce, 15.
‘The most traumatic thing that’s happened to me recently was my marriage breaking down,’ Nathan began. (Pictured: Buckley and Minnici in 2003)
Meanwhile, Brodie appears to have settled well into the role of a WAG as the brunette beauty had an incredible makeover to match her new life with Nathan.
She went from a blonde girl-next-door look to a bronzed glamazon almost overnight after dating the former AFL player and coach.
Prior to Ryan, Buckley dated cosmetic nurse Alex Pike, 45, from May to December last year.
Fortunately, Nathan has found love again and is currently dating 34-year-old business manager Brodie Ryan (right), who he went public with in October last year
Prior to Ryan, Buckley dated cosmetic nurse Alex Pike (left), 45, from May – December last year
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