Celebrity

‘The regal queen of Australian fashion’ and beloved television personality Maggie Tabberer dies, age 87

Matthew Hart
Dec 06, 2024
As news of Tabberer's passing spread, the Australian public took to social media in droves, sharing heartfelt tributes to the "national fashion icon and media trailblazer." Source:Don Arnold/WireImage/GettyImages.

The Australian public is in mourning today following the passing of fashion icon and beloved television personality Maggie Tabberer, who sadly died at the age of 87.

Her daughter, Amanda, shared the heartbreaking news in a social media post on Friday, December 6, confirming that her mother had passed away.

“This morning we lost our beautiful mother and Nanna,” she wrote.

“She was an icon in every sense of the word and we will miss her dearly… Along with the rest of Australia.🥰 rest in peace Nanna. We love you to bits forever.”

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.

As news of Tabberer’s passing spread, the Australian public took to social media in droves, sharing heartfelt tributes to the “national fashion icon and media trailblazer.”

Tabberer is survived by her two daughters Brooke and Amanda.

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