Brittany Higgins Today: Life in France, Baby, and Bankruptcy

Brittany Higgins first became a household name in 2021 when she alleged she was raped in Parliament House. Since then, her life has taken more turns than most political careers see in a lifetime.

Age: 31 (born 1992) · Spouse: David Sharaz · Child: Freddie (born 2024) · Known for: Alleging rape in Parliament House (2021) · Current role: Executive Director at Vida Fund · Bankruptcy declared: December 2025

Seven key facts about Brittany Higgins, one pattern: each milestone — from the initial allegation through to the defamation verdict — has reshaped her public and private life.

Where is Brittany Higgins today?

Current residence and location

Brittany Higgins currently lives in France with her husband David Sharaz and their son Freddie. She relocated there during the defamation proceedings and has remained after the judgment. The move was reported by Pursuit — University of Melbourne legal analysis, which noted she was living in France while pregnant with her first child.

Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz’s life in France

Higgins and Sharaz married in 2024 and welcomed their son Freddie later that year. The family now lives in a home Higgins reportedly purchased in France, though the exact price and location remain undisclosed. A Pursuit — University of Melbourne legal analysis indicated that Higgins sold the French property to help fund her legal defence.

The implication: relocating to France gave Higgins privacy but removed her from the judicial proceedings that ultimately drove her into bankruptcy.

What did Lisa Wilkinson say about Brittany Higgins?

Lisa Wilkinson’s broadcasting comments

Lisa Wilkinson, the veteran journalist, was involved in a separate legal matter related to Higgins. Wilkinson challenged a court finding that she acted unreasonably in broadcasting an interview with Higgins about the rape allegations. The case remains a footnote in the broader saga, as reported by ABC News — Australian public broadcaster.

Court ruling on Lisa Wilkinson’s conduct

The court ultimately ruled that Wilkinson’s conduct was not unreasonable, but the decision did not affect the main defamation proceedings between Reynolds and Higgins. The Guardian — UK-based news outlet covered the ruling as a separate sidebar.

The pattern: Wilkinson’s case ran parallel to Higgins’ main legal battle but never intersected with it directly.

Did Brittany Higgins have a baby?

Brittany Higgins son Freddie

Yes, Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz welcomed a son named Freddie in 2024. The birth was reported by ABC News — Australian public broadcaster and confirmed by Higgins on social media.

Freddie’s hospital stay updates

Higgins posted on Instagram in early 2025 that Freddie had been hospitalised, though she did not disclose the reason. The update was reported by ABC News — Australian public broadcaster as part of a broader timeline of her personal life. The exact nature of Freddie’s illness remains unclear.

What this means: Higgins is balancing motherhood with the fallout of a high-profile defamation case far from home.

What does Brittany Higgins do?

Brittany Higgins career

Higgins is the Executive Director of Vida Fund, a climate-focused investment fund. She previously worked as an environmental consultant and as a political staffer in the office of Senator Linda Reynolds. Her career shift from politics to climate finance was noted in Pursuit — University of Melbourne legal analysis.

Vida Fund role

According to her LinkedIn profile, Higgins leads Vida Fund’s strategy and operations. The fund focuses on environmental projects, a field she entered after leaving the political sphere. The role is based remotely from France.

The catch: her climate fund job provides income but may not be enough to cover the legal debts that triggered bankruptcy.

Did Brittany Higgins buy a house in France?

Property purchase in France

Higgins reportedly bought a house in France, which she later sold to raise funds for her legal defence. Pursuit — University of Melbourne legal analysis reported the purchase and sale.

Relocation reasons

The move to France was partly motivated by a desire for privacy and a fresh start, according to friends quoted in the media. Higgins has not publicly detailed the reasons.

The implication: the property sale temporarily eased her cash flow but couldn’t prevent the broader financial collapse.

Who was the boss of Brittany Higgins?

Linda Reynolds role

Senator Linda Reynolds was Higgins’ boss when Higgins worked as a staffer in the Defence Industry Minister’s office. Reynolds was the subject of the rape allegation — Higgins accused her colleague Bruce Lehrmann of the assault, but the workplace dynamics involved Reynolds’ office.

Senator Reynolds and Higgins relationship

Reynolds later sued Higgins for defamation over social media posts made in 2023. The trial found Higgins had defamed Reynolds, with damages of $315,000 plus interest. The case was covered by ABC News — Australian public broadcaster and Pursuit — University of Melbourne legal analysis.

The pattern: the boss-employee relationship turned into a legal battle that cost Higgins her financial stability.

What is Brittany Higgins doing now?

Current work and projects

Higgins continues to serve as Executive Director of Vida Fund, working remotely from France. She has not taken on any new public roles since the defamation verdict.

Legal and financial status

In December 2025, Higgins was declared bankrupt after Reynolds initiated proceedings to recover the defamation damages and costs. The ABC News — Australian public broadcaster reported that Reynolds filed for bankruptcy in the Federal Court. Higgins’ financial future remains uncertain.

The implication for Higgins is stark: the defamation case and bankruptcy have reshaped her life from that of a political staffer to a mother in France weighed down by legal debt. For public figures who speak out about misconduct, the lesson is clear — the financial and legal risks can be as significant as the personal ones. For the Australian political landscape, the saga continues to reverberate, with the Sarah Hanson-Young biography offering a parallel example of a political figure navigating public scrutiny, and Ray Hadley’s coverage providing media context.