Fashion icon and ‘national treasure’ Maggie Tabberer remembered in moving memorial service

Public figures, family, and friends gathered to honour the late Maggie Tabberer’s extraordinary legacy during a moving memorial service, bidding farewell to a woman whose influence on fashion and media shaped Australian culture for decades.

The pioneering model, fashion icon, and media entrepreneur sadly passed away at the age of 87 on December 6, 2024.

Her daughter, Amanda, shared the heartbreaking news in a social media post at the time.

On Monday, February 10 those closest to her gathered at Sydney’s Randwick Ritz cinema to pay tribute to Tabberer, with the likes of television presenter Deborah Hutton, singer Marcia Hines and journalist Mike Munro in attendance.

During the service, a video presentation showcased highlights from Tabberer’s remarkable life and Hines performed Amazing Grace.

Tabberer’s daughter Amanda delivered a moving eulogy in which she reflected on the “huge hole” left “in so many hearts” following the passing of her mother who she labelled “a national treasure”.

“She had such a presence, even for those who didn’t know that she was a national treasure in Australia”, she said, as per news.com.au.

“Her passing has left a huge hole in so many hearts around Australia, but it has left a canyon in ours. She was generous, funny, positive and above all – she was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”

Born December 11, 1936, Tabberer’s remarkable career began at just 14 when she was discovered by a photographer at her sister’s wedding. This chance encounter led to her first modelling job. By her early twenties, she was mentored by renowned photographer Helmut Newton, who launched her into a successful modelling career.

Tabberer won the prestigious Model of the Year award in 1960 before transitioning to Sydney’s bustling fashion scene. She retired from modelling at 25 but remained a powerful force in the industry.

In 1967, Tabberer founded Maggie Tabberer & Associates, a public relations firm specialising in fashion clients. She later expanded her influence by launching a plus-size clothing line, Maggie T, in 1981, becoming an ambassador for body positivity and style. Her contributions to fashion were further immortalised when her portrait by artist Paul Newton became a finalist in the 1999 Archibald Prize.

Maggie’s publishing career began in 1963 with her fashion column, Maggie Says, for Sydney’s Daily Mirror, a role she held for 16 years. In 1981, media mogul Kerry Packer recruited her as fashion editor for Australian Women’s Weekly, where she became the face of the magazine, gracing its covers and advertisements for 15 years.

On television, Tabberer first captured audiences in 1964 as a panelist on Beauty and the Beast. Her charm and wit made her a household name, leading to her own chat show, Maggie, for which she won two consecutive Gold Logie Awards in 1970 and 1971. More recently, she hosted Maggie … At Home With on the Biography Channel, conducting candid interviews with Australian icons.