Phoebe Burgess made her red carpet return at marie claire’s International Women’s Day Breakfast in Sydney on Monday.
It was the first public appearance for the 32-year-old former football WAG since her ex-husband, Sam Burgess, was arrested last month for allegedly failing a roadside drug test.
Phoebe was all smiles at the event, which was held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks.
Making an appearance: Phoebe Burgess stepped out for marie claire’s International Women’s Day Breakfast in Sydney on Monday
The former magazine journalist looked stylish in a navy blue and white polka dot dress with puff sleeves.
She accessorised with a pair of vibrant green Bottega Veneta heels with a mesh design and strappy laces, and a matching woven green handbag.
Phoebe wore her shoulder-length blonde hair in loose waves, and smiled brightly as she posed for photos ahead of the event.
Putting on a brave face: Phoebe was all smiles at the event, which was held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks
Spot on: The former magazine journalist looked stylish in a navy blue and white polka dot dress with puff sleeves
‘International Women’s Day with @marieclaireau this morning,’ she captioned a series of photos of herself at the event on Instagram on Monday.
Telling, she added: ‘Feeling something I haven’t in a little while… inspired & hopeful #internationalwomensday’.
In a recent interview with marie claire, Phoebe spoke about how her troubled marriage had taken a toll on her self-esteem.
‘International Women’s Day with @marieclaireau this morning,’ she captioned a series of photos of herself at the event on Instagram on Monday
Ex factor: It was the first public appearance for the 32-year-old former football WAG since her ex-husband, Sam Burgess (left), was arrested last month for allegedly failing a roadside drug test
‘[Self-doubt] is such a hard thing to go through. I would say marriage is a place I doubted myself and sacrificed a lot of myself,’ she said.
‘I had to make myself smaller. I think a lot of women can relate to that in relationships.’
After discovering that ‘people can only take your self-esteem if you let them’, Phoebe said she’s emerged stronger.
Speaking out: In a recent interview with marie claire , Phoebe spoke about how her troubled marriage had taken a toll on her self-esteem
‘The thing I love most about myself is my resilience. I’ve learnt recently that I have a lot more strength than I ever gave myself credit for,’ she added.
Her outing comes less than a month after Sam, 32, was arrested after allegedly failing a roadside drug test while on his way to pick up his two young children.
Sam shares daughter Poppy, four, and son Billy, two, with Phoebe, who he divorced in December after five years of marriage.
Single mum: Phoebe shares daughter Poppy, four, and son Billy, two, with Sam, who she divorced in December after five years of marriage
The former rugby league footballer was also charged with driving an unregistered vehicle without a valid Australian licence.
He was pulled over at 1.30pm on February 22 by police near the Southern Highlands property where Phoebe lives with their children.
The embattled NRL star was meant to pick up his children at 2pm, after missing a first collection time at 9am, according to The Australian.
Busted: Phoebe’s outing comes less than a month after Sam, 32, was arrested after allegedly failing a roadside drug test while on his way to pick up his two young children
Police will allege he returned a positive roadside drug test for cocaine, and that he has never held a New South Wales drivers licence.
He is expected to appear in Moss Vale Local court on May 4, facing charges of ‘drive vehicle, resident more than three months – not obtain a licence’ and ‘use unregistered vehicle’, NSW Police said last month.
The charges came just three weeks after Sam was found guilty of intimidating his father-in-law after a heated clash out the front of the Hooke family home in the aftermath of his messy break-up with Phoebe.
Trouble with the law: The former rugby league footballer was also charged with driving an unregistered vehicle without a valid Australian licence