James Packer's ex Jodhi Meares reveals the real reason why she left Sydney for a new life in Byron Bay
The former swimwear model turned fashion designer, who was famously married to Australian billionaire James Packer, had been living in Hawaii for ten years before deciding to make the move to Sydney to be closer to friends and family.
However, the 54-year-old eventually decided that city life just wasn't for her.
'It's wonderful to go to events but I'm not a big party person, never have been,' she told Stellar Magazine, adding that fancy restaurants weren't her thing either.
'Sydney is the most beautiful city, and I love it, but for living, I don't find there's a lot for me to do there.'
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Jodhi decided to turn her back on the hustle and bustle of Sydney, selling her gorgeous harbourside pad in Sydney's eastern suburbs for a whopping $5.2million in February.
Instead, the Tigerlily Swimwear founder has opted for a slower life on a piece of land just outside of Byron Bay, where she lives with her dog named Soda Pop and her five cows.
'I've called them the Ramoons, after [punk rock band] The Ramones,' she hilariously revealed, adding that their names are Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Marky and Tommy, just like the band members.
Jodhi famously married James Packer in 1999 before splitting from him in 2002.
They tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Sydney, where around 750 guests attended and Elton John performed.
The couple, who remained friends following the breakdown of their three-year marriage, are reportedly still close.
A few years ago, Woman's Day reported that Packer still had Meares' number on 'speed dial' and 'called her all the time' when he needed support.
More recently, the rarely-seen fashion designer was spotted spending Christmas and New Year's with her billionaire ex in Los Angeles in 2023.
Rising to fame as a model, Jodhi cut a high profile in the three years she was married to the Australian billionaire.
She founded Tigerlily Swimwear in 2000 before selling it to Billabong seven years later.
Now, she has her own successful fashion brand called The Upside, which she began in 2014.
The fashion designer has also been known to wheel and deal in property since separating from the mogul.
She snapped up a luxury unit in Sydney's ritzy Point Piper in 2004 for $1.23million only to sell it for $2.4million in 2017.
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