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Billionaire heiress Francesca Packer has sent worried whispers rippling through Sydney high society as reports emerge she is now engaged to Robert Bates.
The 31-year-old granddaughter of late media mogul Kerry Packer - as well as daughter of Gretel and English financier Nick Barham, and niece of James Packer - has been dating the controversial wellness CEO, 46, since 2022.
Now eastern suburbs chatter is intensifying about Bates' rocky business past, with some observers noting that, combined with Packer's history of being drawn to colourful characters, a potential marriage could be a recipe for heartbreak.
Bates was last in a relationship with his former business partner Emma Gibson, but they split in early 2022, before he began seeing Packer.
The exes, who were together for five years, landed in the #36 spot on the Young Rich List in 2020, with a combined worth of $145million.
But since then, Bates - a former student at the elite Cranbrook School where Packer's uncle was famously sent - has become a contentious figure following the failure of wellness start-ups Aquamamma and Aurum+.
Francesca Packer has sent worried whispers rippling through high society as reports emerge she is engaged to Robert Bates. (The couple is seen at Melbourne Airport in January 2024)
A rare sighting of the low-profile couple on Friday, with Packer seen kissing Bates in a car
Aurum+ claimed to be a 'clinically-proven solution that treats and prevents mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression', while Aquamamma was a 'healthy hydration solution' for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Both companies have since closed down.
In 2023, reports emerged Bates was being chased by 'high net worth' investors who wanted to get back the millions they invested in the companies.
Bates, who is also the founder of 7 Trinity Biotech, reportedly received a total of $15million from at least 15 different Australian investors for Aurum+ since 2016.
Also in 2023, he made headlines for his attempt to buy Packer a diamond ring from a jewellery wholesale business owned by another controversial figure in Packer's life: Mark Judge.
Judge, the sort of man often described as a 'colourful identity', is a former Sydney bikie associate - and is counted among the socialite's circle of friends.
He even attended her star-studded 26th birthday in 2020.
Ever since his business setbacks started to make headlines in the financial press, Bates has slipped out of the spotlight - taking Packer with him, as the pair became increasingly private.
Since Bates' business setbacks started to make headlines in the financial press, he has slipped out of the spotlight - taking Packer with him, as the pair became increasingly private
Despite engagement rumours, there was no sign of a ring as Packer took a call on Friday. However, telling clues on social media strongly hint that a wedding could be on the cards
The 31-year-old socialite is the granddaughter of late media mogul Kerry Packer, as well as daughter of Gretel and English financier Nick Barham, and niece of James Packer
Packer was introduced to Bates by her former manager Roxy Jacenko (right)
She even appears to have abandoned her social media accounts. The last photo she shared to Instagram was in March 2022, just months before her romance with Bates began.
While the pair have yet to publicly confirm an engagement, Packer appears to have hinted at it through a second Instagram account seemingly dedicated to a forthcoming marriage.
She is following a page titled 'Francesca & Robert', complete with a ring emoji.
'We can’t wait to celebrate with you!' the bio reads.
The account currently only follows - and is followed by - two people, including Packer , suggesting it may be new.
But while some may have private concerns about the engagement between Bates and Packer given his history of controversy, one family friend is giving the couple the benefit of the doubt.
'[Francesca] is really kind and giving and I know that if she's engaged to this man, then she sees the good in him,' the well-placed source told the Daily Mail.
'I wish her all the happiness. She's a very smart, intelligent woman. I think that if she's made that decision, she deserves love and everyone should let her get on with it.
And while the pair haven't publicly confirmed their engagement, it would seem Francesca has made a subtle nod to it by following an Instagram page dedicated to their love
Bates was last in a relationship with his former business partner Emma Gibson, but they split in early 2022, before he began seeing Francesca. (The former couple is pictured in happier times)
'At the end of the day, whose right is it to comment on who she chooses to spend the rest of her life with?
'Just because she's a billionaire doesn't mean she owes anyone anything. She deserves happiness just like the rest of us.'
Packer and Bates were first spotted together when he attended her 28th birthday party in November 2022.
He dressed as a cowboy with a pink hat to match Packer's all-pink outfit at the Barbie-themed bash, which was held in Potts Point.
Just a month later the couple were spotted sharing a kiss and cuddling on the deck of a luxury yacht as they cruised around the harbour with friends.
Prior to her romance with Bates, Packer was linked to Sneaker Spa founder Sam Zacharia, property developer Kelli Holland, and artist Joshua Mullane.
Packer and Bates are said to have been introduced by PR maven and Sydney socialite Roxy Jacenko, who was Francesca's publicist at the time.
She reportedly 'fell head over heels' for the divorced father and even 'confided to friends her desire to start a family' with him.
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