James Packer Spotted in New York City After Engagement Announcement
Australian billionaire James Packer was observed in New York City on Thursday, enjoying a relaxed family dinner just days after confirming his engagement to long-time partner Kylie Lim. The 58-year-old mogul dined at the upscale Mr. Chow restaurant in Manhattan's Tribeca neighbourhood, accompanied by his 13-year-old daughter Emmanuelle and a small group of close friends.
A Relaxed Evening Out
Packer cut a relaxed figure as he arrived at the venue, sporting a monochromatic ensemble consisting of a dark jacket, matching pants, and sleek dress shoes. He appeared at ease and in high spirits, smiling as he entered the restaurant with his daughter by his side. Emmanuelle strolled hand-in-hand with her father, looking to be having a wonderful time as they approached the fashionable venue.
The pair stayed close and chatted easily, with Packer later seen engaged in animated conversation with their group, suggesting a lively and upbeat mood throughout the night. It was clearly a fun evening out for the Sydney-born businessman, who seemed to be soaking up the vibrant Manhattan atmosphere while spending quality time with his daughter and friends.
First Public Appearance Since Engagement News
This sighting marks Packer's first public appearance since revealing he had proposed to Kylie Lim. Earlier this month, it was reported that the wealthy businessman is set to walk down the aisle for a third time after popping the question to his long-time partner.
The couple were together for almost three years from late 2017 to 2020 before rekindling their romance last year. Packer confirmed the engagement news after Lim, a 46-year-old former Canadian socialite and model, was reportedly spotted wearing a stunning ring on her wedding finger while running errands in Aspen, Colorado.
'We are very happy to be engaged and looking forward to the future,' Packer told news.com.au from Los Angeles. It's understood that no wedding date has yet been set for the couple.
Packer's Relationship History
James Packer was previously engaged to former Australian models Kate Fischer, Jodhi Meares, and Erica Baxter, along with US pop star Mariah Carey. He went on to marry Meares and Baxter, with whom he had three children.
It is understood that Packer and Lim started dating in 2017 after being introduced to each other six months earlier by mutual friends in Aspen, where he also maintains a home that he still co-owns with his second ex-wife Erica. The couple fuelled engagement rumours in 2019 when Lim was seen wearing a diamond-encrusted sparkler on her wedding finger during a holiday on Packer's superyacht in Capri, Italy.
A Supportive Partnership
Packer has previously credited Lim with helping him through a difficult period of his life following his messy split with Mariah Carey in 2016 and his battle with substance abuse. He also spent time in a Boston mental health facility for bipolar disorder and depression, confessing he had been in a 'bad, bad way.'
'Kylie has been a wonderful influence on my life. I love her very much,' he said during a rare interview in 2019. In his 2018 biography, The Price of Fortune: The Untold Story of Being James Packer, he told author Damon Kitney: 'Kylie is a good person, a really good partner, and we are taking things slowly, one day at a time. I'm lucky she's in my life.'
After dinner, Packer and his daughter were seen leaving the restaurant together, continuing their stroll through Tribeca as night fell, capping off what appeared to be a pleasant family evening in New York City.
