Ita Buttrose: “I’m really sad to see James Packer struggling”
Ita Buttrose’s professional relationship with her former boss Kerry Packer began in 1972 when she launched Cleo magazine with the media mogul.
She formed a close friendship with Kerry, with his eldest son, James, who was just five years old at the time, regularly playing with Ita’s two children, Kate and Ben – along with James’ younger sister Gretel.
Since James’ recent resignation from Crown Resorts for mental health reasons in March, Ita has been understandably deeply concerned.
Following his public announcement, the 50-year-old and father of three checked into a psychiatric hospital in the US to seek treatment.
Speaking exclusively to The Australian Women’s Weekly, Ita shared, “I just feel very sad for him.”
“James is round about the same age as my kids and he learned to swim with my kids and Rob Henkie’s kids, who was Kerry’s cousin.
“They all learned to swim together, so I’ve known James since he was a very little boy and I’m really sad to see that he’s struggling at the moment,” the concerned 76-year-old said.
Referring to his time in rehab at a Boston clinic, Ita added, “Ros, his mother, was there and I’m sure Gretel, his sister, is somewhere.”
Ita also noted, “He seems on very good terms with his former wives [Erica Baxter and Jodhi Meares] and his kids.”
Although the magazine and media queen had a very close working relationship with Kerry – and a solid friendship – Ita admits she didn’t know James professionally as they never got the opportunity to work together.
“I know [James], but I don’t really know him well because I’d left the company by the time he was in charge,” Ita explained to AWW.
“I would see him sometimes at a lunch or I’d run into him somewhere and we’d say ‘g’day’ and have a chat. But as I say, I’ve known him since he was little, and I can see he’s unhappy and it’s sad.”