Latest news with #JamesPacker
Daily Mail
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
James Packer's ex Jodhi Meares reveals the real reason why she left Sydney for a new life in Byron Bay
Jodhi Meares has opened up about the reason she moved away from Sydney and found peace in the Northern Rivers. 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.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 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.
West Australian
25-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Billionaire James Packer makes shock gambling confession three years after selling out of Crown Resorts
The West Australian exclusive Billionaire James Packer makes shock gambling confession three years after selling out of Crown Resorts
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Childcare to join $50m housing project linked to James Packer
A $50m affordable housing development linked to Australian billionaire businessman James Packer has put a call out for childcare operators to join a Geelong project. The planned childcare centre in the northern Geelong suburb of Corio is expected to attract significant interest from childcare operators looking to get a foothold in one of Australia's fastest growing regional cities. The centre is positioned in the heart of the Edenville residential estate being developed by Sivasli Group and will be located at 26-34 Sharland Rd which is at the entrance to the estate. Corio is expected to see a significant ramp-up in residential development. Global second-hand fashion fave eyes big entry to Geelong Melbourne developer Deniz Sivasli's Edenville group is behind the project, backed by a consortium that includes former casino mogul James Packer and investment guru Joe Gersh. Sivasli Group is also planning a 282-home residential estate on the former Flinders Peak Secondary College site in Hendy St, while Cedar Woods Properties has a 400-lot estate on the drawing board after a $35m purchase in January of an 18.6ha Plantation Rd property. The childcare development is designed by Architecton and will accommodate 124 childcare places and feature a bespoke fit-out for the incoming early learning provider across 1771sq m of building area. CBRE's Australian Healthcare and Social Infrastructure team of Sandro Peluso, Jimmy Tat and Marcello Caspani-Muto are managing the expressions of interest leasing campaign. Mr Tat said childcare centres located within residential estates tend to have outstanding occupancy rates because of increased visibility and accessibility for families. 'What truly sets Corio apart is the absence of other childcare development applications within the catchment area, making it a unique and highly attractive option for operators,' Mr Tat said. 'With over 1100 children expected to be born and move into the area over the next five years, we anticipate the demand-to-supply ratio will reach 4.3:1 – a level that is widely considered very favourable for operators.' Mr Peluso said opportunities to develop childcare centres within residential estates were rare. 'Given the highly favourable demographics and strong demand in Corio, the vendor has decided to pursue a childcare development,' Mr Peluso said. 'We expect significant interest from established local childcare providers as well as new entrants looking to break into the suburb, given the robust demand and limited competition in the area.' The Edenville estate, which will deliver 107 new homes on the site of the former Rosewall Primary School, had a difficult journey to approval at Victoria's planning umpire with Geelong's council labelling it a 'significant overdevelopment'. The expressions of interest lease campaign will close late July.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Reason behind Erica Packer's shock split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett after just 18 months revealed
They reportedly called it quits earlier this year after just 18 months together. Now the reason behind Erica Packer 's shock split with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett has been revealed. A source close to James Packer 's ex-wife, 47, said it was the tyranny of distance that was the catalyst for the split. Erica moved to the UK in 2023 with her three children she shares with James – Indigo, 16, Jackson, 15, and Emmanuelle, 12. Meanwhile Shannon, 49, is based in Byron Bay, in a stunning $2 million six-bedroom mansion. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. They reportedly called it quits earlier this year after just 18 months together. Now the reason behind Erica Packer's (pictured) split with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett has been revealed The source told New Idea that while the couple still 'adore' each other, the long distance between the two became untenable. 'Erica adores Shannon. She's heartbroken – the whole family is,' the source said. 'But it was just too difficult being alone for such long periods of time.' They added: 'The situation was going nowhere, and without a resolution over the New Year break, they both agreed it was best to move on.' The source went on to hint that the parting was amicable, adding that the relationship was a 'big step' for Erica. 'She's disappointed, but Shannon brought her out of her shell,' they claimed. 'Erica loved every minute of being with Shannon.' They continued: 'Dating Shannon was a big step for Erica in the first place – she's not someone who moves from one relationship to the next.' The former singer and celebrity chef are said to have parted ways earlier this year, according to Shannon had previously opened up about navigating their long-distance relationship. 'Erica adores Shannon. She's heartbroken – the whole family is,' the source said. 'But it was just too difficult being alone for such long periods of time' He revealed last year that his girlfriend was doing a lot of travelling to make things work between them. 'She's really good. (Erica is) going back and forwards a lot,' he told the Herald Sun. He went on: 'It's a fun and amazing adventure. It's amazing we haven't met earlier. We're loving life. 'I'm a very lucky man'. In April last year, Sunday Confidential reported that the couple had bought a house together just months after they first went public as a couple. The publication claimed the pair were 'going strong' and had decided to expand after living in Shannon's $2million beachfront property at Belongil Beach. Between them, the lovebirds share nine children, with Shannon sharing Phoenix, 19, Hendrix, 16, Xascha, 14, Xanthe, 12, and twins Xahlia and Margaux, 10, with ex-partner Madeleine West. Meanwhile, Erica co-parents children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle with ex-husband James. Shannon and Erica were first spotted out and about together in 2023 over the Christmas holidays. Erica married former husband James in 2007 and they later split in 2013, but are on good terms as they co- parent their three children. Erica reportedly received a $100 million divorce payment, and purchased a family home in Los Angeles shortly after the break-up.
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Karl's got guns!': Social media goes wild for Karl Stefanovic's muscular arms as Today star, 50, shares stunning workout video after weight loss
Karl Stefanovic has showed off his impressively ripped physique in a hilarious new video at the gym following a major body transformation. The Today host, 50, has been open about his weight loss journey after once tipping the scales at 105kg back in 2020. Stefanovic later told The Kyle and Jackie O Show that unflattering paparazzi photos taken at his heaviest prompted some stern advice from his billionaire pal James Packer. "James Packer sends me a note that says: 'mate, you need to get your a**e to the gym'," Stefanovic said. On Friday, Stefanovic shared a comedic video to Instagram which showed him working out with friend Peter Oreb while his personal trainer Mark Glanville danced in the background. The veteran Channel 9 star and father of four performed a series of gruelling push-up exercises in the clip as his biceps noticeably rippled beneath a tight orange tank top. 'There's something not quite right about my trainer,' Stefanovic captioned the video, which featured the song 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' by Whitney Houston. Fans of the Today host flooded the comment section to praise his new rock hard physique. 'Brah when did Karlos get muscles,' one fan wrote. 'Karl got guns,' another supporter said. 'You got a licence for those firearms?!' 'Whatever he's doing it's working,' another fan agreed. Meanwhile, Stefanovic's sister-in-law Jade Yarbrough raised her concerns that Stefanovic was working out in the gym shoe-less. 'More concerned about you not wearing shoes in the gym again,' she wrote. The video was quickly picked up by Today producers, who used the video of their star presenter's workout for a segment about 'Dad Bods'. Stefanovic's body transformation comes months after reports the Today star is currently vying to replace Rodger Corser as the host of top-rating gameshow The Floor. The quiz show, which sees contestants challenge each other in head-to-head trivia duels, has proven ratings gold for Nine in the 7.30pm time slot ever since it premiered in April.
