Jimmy Bartel Biography: Wife, Age, Kids, Net Worth, Height, AFL Career, Medal, Family

James Ross Bartel, widely known as Jimmy Bartel, is a former Australian rules footballer, having anchored the Geelong Football Club as a versatile utility player across 15 AFL seasons.

Renowned for his three premiership triumphs in 2007, 2009, and 2011, the Brownlow Medal in 2007, and the Norm Smith Medal in the 2011 Grand Final, Bartel’s career blended midfield drive, defensive steel, and forward opportunism into a legacy of 305 games and over 7,000 disposals.

Beyond the field, he has carved a path in media commentary for networks like Seven and Triple M, while his advocacy against domestic violence—stemming from personal family hardships—has amplified his influence as a thoughtful community leader.

Profile

• Full Name: James Ross Bartel
• Stage Name: Jimmy Bartel
• Born: 4 December, 1983
• Age: 41 years old
• Birthplace: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
• Nationality: Australian
• Occupation: Former Australian Rules Footballer, Media Commentator
• Height: 1.87m
• Parents: Terry Bartel and Dianne Bennett
• Siblings: Olivia Bartel and Emma Bartel
• Spouse: Nadia Bartel (m. 2014-2021)
• Partner: Amelia Shepperd
• Children: Paloma Lucie Bartel, Henley Roy Bartel, Aston James Bartel
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

James Ross Bartel was born on December 4, 1983, in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

His parents, Terry Bartel and Dianne Bennett, divorced when he was just one year old, leaving his mother to raise him and his two elder sisters, Olivia and Emma, in the suburb of Herne Hill amid financial strains and instances of domestic violence from his father.

Bartel kicked off his junior football at Bell Park Football Club, initially balancing it with a budding interest in cricket, before committing fully to the sport.

He attended St Joseph’s College in Geelong, where he captained the football team and earned cricket batting accolades, then went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University.

His ethnicity is Australian of European descent, and his religion remains unknown.

Career

Jimmy Bartel launched into professional football after being selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2001 AFL Draft by Geelong, following a standout junior career with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, where he captained Vic Country to national under-18 success.

Debuting in round one of 2002 amid a rebuilding Cats side, he navigated early inconsistencies—managing 11 games that year and earning a Rising Star nomination—while contributing to Geelong’s VFL reserves premiership.

His breakthrough arrived in 2006 with a best-afield performance in a rare win over Collingwood, but it was 2007 that transformed him: averaging 27 disposals and five tackles, he clinched the Brownlow Medal with a club-record 29 votes, then starred in Geelong’s dominant Grand Final rout of Port Adelaide, securing his first premiership and establishing himself as the club’s Swiss Army knife.

Bartel’s prime years solidified Geelong’s dynasty, with back-to-back flags in 2009 and a third in 2011 where his Grand Final heroics—28 disposals and a record-equaling 16 tackles—netted the Norm Smith Medal amid a nail-biting 12-point victory over Collingwood.

Selected as a two-time All-Australian (2007, 2008), he adapted seamlessly across roles, amassing 202 goals and a club-record 28 finals appearances while mentoring young talents during leaner stretches like the 2010 straight-sets exit.

Off-field, he balanced studies and part-time welfare work at Geelong, and by 2014, he marked his 250th game with a career-high four goals against Adelaide, all while navigating personal turbulence that fueled his growing voice on family issues.

Jimmy Bartel retired at season’s end in 2016 after a poignant 300th game against the Western Bulldogs, leaving behind a Hall of Fame induction in 2023 and a blueprint for utility excellence that echoes in Geelong’s sustained contention.

His media footprint spans AFL commentary on Seven’s Footy Show and Triple M radio, blending sharp analysis with candid insights, while board roles at the GWS Giants and ambassadorships for startups underscore his business acumen.

Through campaigns like his bearded “Face Up to DV” drive, Bartel’s post-career impact champions resilience, turning early scars into widespread support for those facing family violence.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @jrb03
• Twitter Handle: @Jimmy_Bartel
• Facebook Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Jimmy Bartel was previously married to model and designer Nadia Coppolino (Nadia Bartel).

They married in 2014 and had two sons together, Aston (born 27 November 2015) and Henley (born 17 October 2018).

They separated in August 2019 and their divorce was finalized in August 2021.

Since July 2021, Jimmy Bartel has been in a relationship with Amelia Shepperd, and they have a daughter named Paloma Lucie Bartel, born around early 2023.

Net Worth

Jimmy Bartel has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

His fortune draws from AFL contracts totaling around $8 million over 15 seasons, topped by media deals with Seven Network and Triple M, plus endorsement gigs and board positions at firms like the GWS Giants.