The Joyce family have been thrown into the media eye ever since Barnaby Joyce’s former media adviser Vikki Campion, 33, was photographed heavily pregnant by The Daily Telegraph, who reported she was expecting a child with the then Deputy Prime Minister of Australia’s child.
Natalie Joyce remained silent through the ensuing media circus, which included a controversial TV deal by Barnaby and Vikki to sit with Channel 7’s Sunday Night for their first ever interview together. But now, Barnaby’s ex-wife has spoken out about ‘the worst year of her life’, in an exclusive interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Natalie’s decision to finally speak up came with a strong desire to set the record straight, plus she wanted to set an example for her daughters and for them to feel empowered.
How many children does Barnaby Joyce have?
Barnaby and his daughters.
As well as baby Sebastian with ex-staff member Vikki Champion, Barnaby has four daughters.
Bridgette, 21, Julia, 20, Caroline, 18, and Odette, 15.
Speaking to The Weekend Australian, his now ex-wife Natalie said politics was tough on the girls growing up and the family took a “back seat” when it came to Barnaby’s career, though the girls didn’t really know any different.
“It’s taken a long time to get that father-daughter rapport,” she said in 2017.
Barnaby was aware of the sacrifices and admitted he felt guilty about his absence.
“In the end they give up on you. They just don’t think you’re going to be there,” he admitted in the same interview.
Who is Barnaby Joyce’s ex-wife?
Barnaby Joyce announced he had separated from his wife Natalie Joyce in December, 2017.
The admission of separation was somewhat controversial as it was included as a bizzare contribution to the same sex marriage debate.
“The current definition of marriage has stood the test of time… half of them fail, I acknowledge that,”Mr Joyce said on December 7th, 2017.
“I’ll acknowledge … I’m currently separated so that’s on the record. I don’t come to this debate pretending to be a saint.”
Natalie and the Deputy Prime Minister were married in 1993 and together for 24 years.
The pair met while they were both in University.
Natalie is the mother of Barnaby’s four daughters.
Barnaby, Natalie and their four daughters.
Who is Vikki Campion, Barnaby’s new partner?
The announcement that Vikki Campion was expecting a baby with the Deputy Prime Minister shocked Australia, mostly because Vikki was a former media adviser to Mr Joyce.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the couple had moved in together and Mr Joyce was “madly in love” but the 50-year-old is concerned about the welfare of his daughters, who are in their late teens and early 20s.
Ms Campion, 33, worked as Mr Joyce’s media advisor before she moved into a more senior role with Resources Minister Matt Canavan in April last year.
She then joined the office of Nationals chief parliamentary whip Damian Drum, before losing her job when Mr Drum moved from his role to become the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Before working in Politics Vikki Campion worked as a journalist and deputy chief of staff of The Daily Telegraph.
For her background and a timeline of Barnaby and Vikki’s relationship, click HERE!
