Sunday, January 13, 2008

Don't Forget to Keep the Stem Cells


Jamie and Erica and .. Packer, originally uploaded by ddbsweasel.

A billionaire isn't born every day. In Australia. Possibly because of our socialist government. Anyways, the announcement has been made. A toast to the happy couple.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A June baby expected for Packer dynasty
by Sarah Blake
BILLIONAIRE James Packer and his model wife, Erica Baxter, are expecting their first child in June.

Erica is four months pregnant, capping off a dream year for the Packers, who celebrated a lavish four-day, $6 million wedding on the French Riviera last June.

The couple have told friends they are delighted about the impending new addition to their family.

Due back in Sydney later this week after a summer holiday in North America, the Packers have been able to enjoy some privacy during Baxter's first trimester.

"They are delighted," a source close to the Packers said.

"They can't believe they haven't been in the spotlight yet, but Erica has a noticeable bump now, so they know it's going to end."

The Packers enjoyed a family Christmas in Sydney and spent Boxing Day on the family's luxury yacht, the Arctic P, before jetting to the US for a holiday.

The new Packer heir will be born into one of Australia's most prominent families, to a father who took over the role of patriarch from the late Kerry Packer, who died on Boxing Day 2005.

In the past year James Packer, 40, has removed himself from the family's traditional media interests to concentrate on building the international gaming empire that began with Melbourne's Crown Casino.

He has also reportedly maintained his ties with the controversial Church of Scientology and counts the cult's most famous member, actor Tom Cruise, among his closest friends.

Cruise and his fellow Hollywood star wife, Katie Holmes, headed the guest list at the Packer wedding at Cap d'Antibes in the south of France - the biggest event on last year's society calendar.

Among other guests were News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch, his son and News Corp board member, Lachlan Murdoch, and Lachlan's wife, Sarah.

Also present were several Channel 9 personalities, including Eddie McGuire, Karl Stefanovic and Leila McKinnon - whose husband, David Gyngell, was best man.

Ms Baxter's sister, Joanna, attended the bride, who wore a $100,000 Christian Dior gown.

Shortly before the wedding, 30-year-old Baxter, an aspiring pop star, released her debut album, to generally positive reviews.

It was James Packer's second marriage, after his short-lived union with swimsuit model Jodhi Meares ended with their divorce in 2002.

The expectant couple - who had dated on and off since 2003 - live at Sydney's Bondi, overlooking the iconic beach.

Baxter, who once dated Jason Donovan, grew up in the small country town of Gunnedah, in northwest NSW, before moving to Sydney as a teenager to model.