3 days ago
Lowes CEO worth $400 million rises to top of high society at Gold Dinner - after she banned celebrities from the prestigious $3500-a-head event
Linda Penn has become the undisputed queen of the Sydney social scene.
The Lowes Menswear CEO, who, alongside her brother and Lowes co-owner Jeffrey Mueller is worth a cool $400 million, held court at the glamorous Gold Dinner in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Linda heads the Gold Dinner Committee alongside her son Joshua, and rules the charity event with an iron fist.
Every year an influential mix of business and philanthropic leaders attends - and the gala was once also littered with A-listers before Penn and her son banned them from the event.
In the past, celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Roxy Jacenko, Ian Thorpe, Hamish Blake and Karl Stefanovic made appearances on the red carpet.
In 2023, a swathe of celebrities walked the red carpet, including the likes of cricket WAG Candice Warner, actor Lincoln Younes, Sunrise star Natalie Barr and Ex-NRL star Cooper Cronk.
Gold Dinner co-chair Joshua revealed ahead of the 2024 gala that the event will shun celebrities going forward, as they 'don't seem to add much value'.
'I'm always told to invite the celebrity or the famous rugby player and put the WAG on the list but it is just not our thing,' Penn explained.
'We have done it before and they end up taking up valuable space', he added.
Joshua said that the attention is usually too much on the celebrities, rather than on the purpose of the event.
On Wednesday, the only celebrities of note came in the form of Sunrise co-hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington, as well as former Wiggles performer Emma Watkins, with Sydney's wealthy elite making up most of the guest list.
The invitation-only gala is held annually at a secret location in Sydney and is given a unique theme every year.
For the first time, this year the Gold Dinner was held at the Royal Botanic Gardens' Parade Ground Lawn, set amongst Sydney's most iconic landmarks and framed by the vibrant light spectacle of Vivid Sydney.
With close proximity to Government House and iconic landmarks the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge - all being illuminated as part of the city's renowned festival of light - this year's event is themed 'Light Up a Child's Life'.
It offers guests a symbolic and immersive experience that ties directly to its cause as they aim to raise $80 million - the most ambitious target to date.
For almost three decades, the Gold Dinner in Sydney has united Australia's leaders and captains of industry to support the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network through the SCHF.
Now expanded to Perth, and with plans to hold events in the USA and UK with Australia expats, the Gold Series is recognised as Australia's most prestigious philanthropic initiative.
Sydney's Gold Dinner has raised over $90 million since its inception in 1997, directly transforming the lives of sick kids and their families by funding life-saving treatments and care.
Linda posed alongside some of her esteemed attendees, including former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Kristina Keneally.
The Lowes matriarch stood out glittering silver gown with art deco panels and semi-sheer skirting.
She added to her ensemble with a gold purse and a diamond necklace that matched her earrings.
As the co-owner and Managing Director of Lowes Menswear, Linda works full time overseeing the entire operation, which includes over 190 stores, online portals and over 1900 staff across Australia.
Linda and her dentist husband David, who founded Southern Cross Dental laboratories, have three children.
She previously told Belinda International that despite her business nous, her family is her priority.
'Look after yourself from a health and mental well-being perspective' Linda said in offering advice for working mothers.
