Both in her personal life and on screen, Madeleine West has continuously shown an amazing capacity for adaptation. From complicated real-life chapters to soap opera scripts, she handles every turn with a poise that is both admirable and remarkably human. However, the focus has recently shifted from her professional achievements to a question that has been lingering in the quiet corners of online discussion: is she still dating Byron Bay environmentalist Maximo Bottaro? When West revealed her unexpected seventh child in January 2025, many people immediately noticed that Bottaro was no longer a part of the public discourse.
Beginning in 2020 while she was volunteering with ReForest Now, their relationship grew out of the public eye. Their relationship developed via tree planting and grassroots activism, in contrast to the majority of celebrity romances that take place in filtered selfies and on the red carpet. Both were enthusiastic about community healing, educational outreach, and climate impact, so the connection felt firmly grounded in purpose. Bottaro provided West, who was coming out of her breakup with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, with something noticeably reassuring.
| Full Name | Madeleine West |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Melanie Ann Weston |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1979 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Actress, Author, Activist |
| Known For | Neighbours, Satisfaction, Underbelly |
| Children | Seven |
| Former Partner | Shannon Bennett (2005–2018) |
| Rumored Partner | Maximo Bottaro (2020–2024?) |
| Pregnancy Announcement | January 2025 |
| Verified Source | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/article-14280703 |
In past interviews, West was especially fond of Bottaro, saying he not only shared her values but also contributed to their upholding. His assistance seemed particularly reassuring during a time when she was redefining herself after the breakup. Their mutual passion for environmental advocacy and education made them one of Australia’s more subtly alluring power couples.
However, silence has infiltrated that narrative as 2025 progresses. West and her media appearances have not mentioned, acknowledged, or made any appearances of Bottaro since the pregnancy announcement. This absence is glaringly obvious for a woman who had once quietly praised their connection. Despite her continued public appearances and social media activity, Bottaro seems to have completely disappeared from the story.
There is a lot of interest in this development. His absence is interpreted by some fans as a purposeful act of privacy during a delicate life transition. Others speculate that the couple may have broken up, opting to keep the split a secret to maintain their dignity and prevent publicity. In any case, perhaps the most telling detail is how consistently West has remained silent.
Her strategy is in line with a broader trend among public personalities who are changing the way relationships are covered by the media. A growing number of celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Adele, and Kaley Cuoco, have set emotional boundaries while also embracing vulnerability. Instead of making generalizations, they convey change by altering their focus, tone, and presence. That same ethos—one that is very effective at preserving emotional energy—is reflected in West’s choice to put her kids, advocacy, and storytelling first.
In the event that a separation has occurred, the emotional response to it is exceptionally mature. No public blame, no scandal, and no departure from her present priorities have occurred. She keeps up her advocacy for justice reform and abuse victim support on the Predatory podcast, where she collaborates with experts like Gary Jubelin. Her recent appearances as a guest host on Broad Radio and conversations about mental health serve to further solidify her progress.
The intricacy of West’s motherhood journey should also be noted. It was more than just a viral headline when she revealed her seventh pregnancy at age 45, after first thinking her symptoms were related to perimenopause. It spurred a national dialogue about female identity fluidity, aging, and fertility. She called the encounter “unexpectedly affirming,” implying that although it interfered with her plans, it broadened her viewpoint. Many people have found resonance in this emotional transparency, especially women going through comparable life stages that are not well-represented in the media.
Regardless of his current situation, Maximo Bottaro’s influence on West’s journey should not be undervalued. At a time when peace and clarity were critical, his role was especially helpful in reestablishing her connection to nature, activism, and introspective healing. However, the stories surrounding relationships must change along with them. Without proof, West’s actions have successfully changed the topic of discussion from “Who is her boyfriend?” to “Who is she becoming?”
She now uses platforms to draw attention to issues that are important to her, moving her story arc away from relational labels and toward impact. It’s a deliberate development that mirrors a cultural change: viewers are now more interested in sincerity and substance than in rumors and resolution. In this way, West is redefining the story rather than avoiding it.
Her tenacity is particularly remarkable in light of the trauma she has recently experienced again. She courageously sought to hold her abuser accountable after disclosing childhood abuse in 2023, which led to a landmark court decision. This particularly difficult period of her life has given her a new sense of direction. The question of whether she is still with Maximo Bottaro is rendered less significant when viewed through this prism. How she continues to prosper, adjust, and advocate is the true tale.
It’s likely that West will keep personal affairs private in the months to come. Regardless of whether she decides to talk about her relationship status, her silence has already made it very evident that she doesn’t owe the public an explanation when her time would be better used creating something enduring for herself, her kids, and her community.
