James & Erica (left)Lachlan & Sarah
Heads turned on Saturday night as one of Australia's richest power couples walked into Surry Hill's Winery Restaurant. It was billionaire James Packer (estimated wealth : $6.1B) and his wife, ex-model Erica.
And the guests who joined them shortly after soon got tongues wagging-Lachlan Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and his wife, the model Sarah Murdoch.
This was a joint celebration.
James and Lachlan both share the 8Th September as their birthday. Which makes them typical Virgoans. In Chinese astrology James is Sheep. Sheep are often into new age philosophies.
Perhaps that explains the young Packer's interest in Scientology which movie star and good friend Tom Cruise introduced him to. ( Cruise phoned Packer at the restaurant to wish him all the best)
Sheep can be generous in love. Former wife Jodhi Meares could probably attest to that. It's rumoured she picked up $15M in her divorce from James plus a house and another for her mother.
Ex fiancee Kate Fisher is said to have got a $3M parting gift plus a Bondi apartment.
When James and Kate married they did it in style on the French Rivera at Hotel du Cap - Eden Roc . 100 guests were flown from Australia first class and the 2 honeymooned on the Mediterranean in the Packer's luxurious former ice-breaker, the Arctic P. ( joined by Cruise and Katie Holmes).
Sheep aren't the best in business. Possibly why Packer has dropped a billion since his father Kerrie left him the biggest inheritance in Australian history in 2005.
Lachlan Murdoch is a Pig or Boar in Chinese astrology. Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They delight in finery and riches. Lachlan fits this to a tee. He recently paid a record $23M for the former French Consulate in Bellevue Hill which came with tennis courts, swimming pool, sculptured lawns, 8 bedrooms and magnificent harbour views. It's also a stone's throw from his good sheep mate Jame's Belleveue Hill compound.
Pigs are so pure they cannot see bad in anyone. James and Lachlan took a pasting in their joint
One-Tel venture losing around $300M of their respective father's money when they hung on every word from their former school mate Jodee Rich (pictured left with James & Lachlan) who convinced them it was a great investment.When Lachlan was CEO of his father's Australian News Corporation he used to walk around the various newspapers enquiring after just about everyone's health. Old timers said he was too soft.
What do the rich give each other on their birthdays?. We aren't sure but Lachlan came bearing Cartier carrier bags for James !
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Following our report that Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer (plus kids
) viewed a Seven Shillings Beach house (right) last week, the 1950's style house sold for $19M on the weekend at auction.The property was sold by cardboard packing industry heir Nigel Butler who prefers surfing most days rather than high finance and business. Although the house is rather run down it does have exclusive access to the beach and a sensational view to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. No news yet on whether the Crowe family will be moving in.
