Celebrity Apprentice Australia 2022 star Benji Marshall has plenty of accolades to his name, but none are as priceless as the rugby legend’s own family.
The 37-year-old is the proud father of son Benjamin “Fox” Fox, 4, and Ever J, 11 months, whom he shares with media personality Zoe Marshall.
**Content warning: the following discusses pregnancy loss and may be distressing to some readers.
Benji and The Deep podcast host wed in 2013 with hopes of soon starting their dream family. However, as well-documented by the pair, their trajectory to having kids was nothing short of difficult.
Prior to falling pregnant with Fox, Zoe had faced a lengthy battle with endometriosis which saw the pair on the verge of seeking IVF treatment.
However, in a last-ditch try to fall pregnant naturally, the couple sought help from Chinese medical practitioner Dr Shuquan Liu. After six months in his fertility program, Zoe and Benji got the news that they were expecting their “miracle baby” — Fox.
Sadly, while trying for their second child, the power couple faced a miscarriage in 2019. Accordingly, the devastating experience informed how they decided to reveal they were pregnant again, this time with Ever, in 2020.
“[Benji] had a lot of anxiety around me sharing prematurely, which I completely understand,” Zoe explained during an episode of her podcast.
“We had a loss around this time last year. I think the impact of that on me really rattled him. He’s private in general, but didn’t want me to share.”
Paying tribute to his wife and daughter upon her birth in June 2021, Benji called Ever his “everything”.
“I am already wrapped around your little finger… You complete us baby.”
Benji Marshall’s Rugby Career
Kiwi-born Benji first shot to fame at the age of 18 when he debuted for the West Tigers in 2003. Two years later, the young gun guided the club to its maiden Premiership win in 2005.
At just 20-years-old, Benji made his international rugby league debut when he was called up to play for New Zealand in the ANZAC test. He also featured with the Kiwis during their end-of-season Tri Nations campaign at the time.
His glory only grew from thereon in.
In 2006, he was named captain of the national New Zealand team before also being named as the Five-Eight of the Year by the Rugby League International Federation.
Benji then won the Golden Boot Award in 2010, which is bestowed upon the best rugby league player in the world. He remains the only West Tigers player to have had the honour of winning the gong.
After a brief stint in rugby union, Benji returned to rugby league in 2014 having been inducted as a Life Member the year prior.
Returning to the West Tigers in 2018, the legend played his 300th game in 2019, followed by his 250th game for the club the following year.
Before an emotional retirement at the end of 2021, Benji played the final season of his career with the South Syndey Rabbitohs.
Rugby Hasn’t Been Benji Marshall’s Only Career Highlight
Outside of rugby, Benji has made a name for himself as a media personality, which definitely comes in handy in the Celebrity Apprentice boardroom!
In 2017, he and Zoe co-hosted the Sunday Breakfast show, Meet the Marshalls on Nova Brisbane.
Off the back of his successful rugby career, Benji also works as a television presenter, regularly appearing on the panel of NRL 360 on Fox Sports.
If you or anyone you know is struggling following a miscarriage or loss of a child and needs support, call SANDS on 1300 308 307 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also speak with someone confidentially at Headspace by calling 1800 650 890 or chat online here. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
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