Barnaby Joyce’s ex-wife Natalie on her new life and bodybuilding after bitter split

Natalie Abberfield has opened up about her surprise move into the world of bodybuilding after her bitter bust-up with Nationals MP husband Barnaby Joyce.

Speaking to SBS’s Insight program five years on from her high-profile split, Natalie – who now uses her maiden name – revealed she shocked friends and family when she announced she was planning on competing in bodybuilding competitions.

The mother-of-four had endured the painful end to her 24-year marriage in 2018 – a split which was played out publicly in brutal fashion after her husband left her for his younger staffer Vikki Campion.

The mother-of-four had recently endured the painful end to her 24-year marriage when she took to the weight room

Natalie Abberfield in what was her first bodybuilding competition back in 2019

Natalie Abberfield in what was her first bodybuilding competition back in 2019

Barnaby and Vikki, who would have two sons in quick succession after the end of his marriage to Natalie, are now planning to wed in the coming months in a ceremony believed to be held in his home town of Armidale in NSW. 

As the nuptials loom, Natalie reveals that pumping iron was a major factor in her recovery from Barnaby’s devastating blindside and that it helped her ‘rediscover’ herself.

‘I had always wanted to enter a bodybuilding competition, but there was simply never the right time,’ Natalie told Insight.

‘When you’re a mother with a young family, your priorities change, and the things that you once desired often go on the backburner.

‘Then the time came. In 2019 my daughters had grown up and were away at university.

Natalie and Barnaby in happier times, prior to their split in 2018

Natalie and Barnaby in happier times, prior to their split in 2018

Barnaby and partner Vikki Campion soon after the birth of their first child Sebastian

Barnaby and partner Vikki Campion soon after the birth of their first child Sebastian

‘My marriage had ended and I was consumed with this overwhelming feeling of grief and the burning question, “Well, what now? I’m not needed anymore”.’

But the 54-year-old mum of admitted the news she was prepping for a tilt at competitive bodybuilding was initially met with some scepticism amongst her inner circle.

However doubts soon gave way as they realised the lifelong fitness fanatic was serious about having a real crack.

‘When I told my daughters that I was going to compete, they laughed and said, “Oh mum, you’re not”,’ she said.

‘When they realised I was serious, they supported my training and dietary choices and would make sure that I stayed on track.

‘”No alcohol for you, mum!” My friends thought I was mad, but were also very supportive. They noticed a change in me…they saw I was happy.’

'When I told my daughters that I was going to compete, they laughed and said, ¿Oh mum, you're not¿, Natalie reveals

‘When I told my daughters that I was going to compete, they laughed and said, ‘Oh mum, you’re not’, Natalie reveals

Natalie (L) shed 15 kilos before competing in 2019. She took home a silver medal

Natalie (L) shed 15 kilos before competing in 2019. She took home a silver medal

And it wasn’t just a major physical transformation that emerged. Natalie said hours wiled away in a Tamworth gym led to other big changes.

She began meeting new people and enjoying life again after the darkness of a messy, public divorce.

‘Bodybuilding became my escape and my way of refocusing on my life,’ she told the program.

‘I suppose it gave me a purpose to get up in the morning.

‘It also gave me a new lease on life.

‘I was enjoying everything in my life again and was meeting new people.

‘Not only did my body change, but so did my mind.

‘I found that I was happy again, and I wasn’t feeling sad and overwhelmed anymore.’

Natalie with daughters Odette, Bridgitte, Julia and Caroline

Natalie with daughters Odette, Bridgitte, Julia and Caroline

Barnaby and Vikki posing with son Sebastian who was born in late 2018

Barnaby and Vikki posing with son Sebastian who was born in late 2018 

However Natalie stopped short of calling her new physique a ‘revenge’ body – a term typically used to describe a fitness transformation after a breakup or a divorce.

‘If people want to call it a revenge body, then go ahead. But I think it is such a narrow-minded view. To me, bodybuilding means that a strong body reflects a strong mind,’ she said.

‘The only revenge I see is that you become mentally stronger and you can take on whatever life throws at you.

‘Why would you want to waste precious time on a “revenge body” for someone else?’

'If people want to call it a revenge body, then go ahead. But I think it is such a narrow-minded view,' Natalie says

‘If people want to call it a revenge body, then go ahead. But I think it is such a narrow-minded view,’ Natalie says 

Natalie has given just a handful of interviews since the scandal of her ex-husband’s infidelity became public five years ago and is understood to be living a quiet life off the public radar in Tamworth.

Vikki and Barnaby, meanwhile, became engaged in 2022 with Campion detailing the proposal at a Coffs Harbour restaurant in her weekly opinion column published in The Sunday Telegraph.

‘Great love doesn’t need a ring but I like how it feels,’ Campion wrote.

‘He pretended to drop his phone on the floor, jumped down on both knees as if he was praying, not proposing, and said: “Vikki, will you marry me?” and I melted.’

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