In a tear-jerking moment on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia, Mia Fevola, the 26-year-old daughter of AFL legend Brendan Fevola, opened up about the devastating impact her father’s gambling addiction had on their family—revealing a rock-bottom period that left them homeless.

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During a heartfelt campfire conversation in the South African jungle on the January 20, 2026 episode, Mia shared how Brendan’s secret battle with gambling spiraled out of control, costing the family everything.

“He gambled every cent we had,” she told her campmates, explaining that the addiction led to bankruptcy in 2013 and forced the family into homelessness. At one point, they had no choice but to move in with her grandmother in Melbourne after bookies came knocking and finances collapsed.

The revelations hit hard: Brendan, once a high-earning Carlton and Brisbane star, reportedly lost nearly a million dollars to gambling, including a staggering $363,000–$365,000 in a single day of betting.

Mia recounted the brutal way she learned about it—not from her parents, but from schoolyard whispers. “I only found out when people at school would tell me,” she said, highlighting the shame and secrecy that surrounded the issue.

The family’s lowest point came amid Brendan’s career downfall. After being traded to Brisbane and then sacked following a rehab stint triggered by his addiction (and related issues), the fallout rippled through their home life.

Mia’s parents’ relationship strained under the pressure, leading to a split at one stage. Yet, amid the pain, Mia emphasized her father’s turnaround.

“Dad went to rehab, came out, then… to think he’s turned his life around from that. He sorted himself out,” she reflected. Brendan has since owned his mistakes publicly, admitting on radio and in interviews that gambling nearly drove him to suicide and crippled many lives.

His recovery has allowed the family to rebuild, with Mia describing a renewed bond forged through honesty and accountability.

Fans have flooded social media with support for Mia’s vulnerability, praising her courage in sharing such a personal story on national TV. Many see parallels to broader conversations around gambling addiction in Australia, especially in high-profile sports families where pressure and big earnings can fuel destructive habits.

Mia’s appearance on I’m a Celebrity—following her own reality TV stint on Dancing with the Stars—has positioned her as more than just a “nepo baby.”

Her raw honesty about forgiveness and resilience is resonating deeply, turning what could have been a scandal into a powerful narrative of healing.

As Brendan himself joked when Mia asked for advice before entering the jungle (“Bro, easy cash! Get in there and get it done!”), the family has come full circle—from despair to a place of openness and pride. Mia’s jungle journey isn’t just about surviving trials; it’s about confronting past ones and emerging stronger.

In an era where mental health and addiction stories are finally getting the spotlight they deserve, Mia Fevola’s confession reminds us that redemption is possible—even after hitting rock bottom.