James Packer’s ex-wife Erica debuts surprise romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett as the couple enjoy romantic beach date in Byron Bay
Erica Packer, the glamorous ex-wife of billionaire casino magnate James Packer, has debuted a surprise new romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett.
Shannon, 48, former partner of actress Madeleine West, was spotted on a romantic beach date with Erica, 46, and their children in Byron Bay this week, as seen in photos released Sunday Telegraph.
The photos show the couple packing on the PDA as they stroll along the beach, kissing and cuddling while enjoying the summer sun.
The couple are reported to be staying at Shannon’s $2 million beachfront home on the Belongil Beach Peninsula along with his six children Phoenix, Hendricks, Xasha, Xanthe, Xalia and Margot.
Erica Indigo’s children Jackson and Emmanuel, who she shares with ex James, also apparently live in the sprawling mansion.
Erica Packer, 46 (left), the glamorous ex-wife of billionaire casino magnate James Packer, has debuted a surprise new romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, 48 (right), former partner of actress Madeleine West.
“They didn’t show it off, but they didn’t hide it either,” one observer told The Sunday Telegraph of the couple’s affair.
“They waited for the children to enter the house until they hugged and kissed,” they added.
A source said Erica and Shannon’s kids seem to get along well and spent the day riding electric bikes on the beach.
“They didn’t show it off, but they didn’t hide it either,” one observer told The Sunday Telegraph of the couple’s affair. “They waited for the children to enter the house until they hugged and kissed,” they added.
The couple later reportedly dined at trendy restaurant The Farm before heading home.
James and Erica married in 2007 and then separated in 2013, but are on good terms as they co-parent three children.
It is reported that Erica received a $100 million divorce settlement, and purchased the family home in Los Angeles shortly after the breakup.
James also bought an $80 million mansion in Los Angeles so he could be closer to Erica and their children whenever he’s in town.
“James’s main priority at the moment is the well-being of his children,” a family friend said. Daily Telegraph at the time of divorce.
When Erica comes to Sydney, she often lives with her ex-husband and children in James’ $72 million Crown penthouse.
The ex-spouses are so close that they often spend family vacations together.
In contrast, Shannon’s relationship with ex-partner Madeline is not as friendly.
Shannon, who rose to fame on MasterChef Australia, split from Madeleine in September 2018 after a 13-year relationship.
Madeleine later said that the separation process “became toxic love.”
Two years after their split, she left Melbourne and moved to the Byron Bay area to be near their six children, buying her own $4.6 million property overlooking Tallow Beach.
In May 2022, Shannon said Madeleine sees their children once every two weeks and they spend the rest of the time with him.
“The children live with me full-time and visit their mother every two weeks for a few days,” he told the Herald Sun at the time.
Erica married James in 2007 and they separated in 2013. Pictured together in 2005.
Madeleine has spent this year in legal battles with Benny Bennett, Shannon’s elderly father, who sued her after an alleged confrontation at Chef Byron’s mansion in 2022.
The magistrate applied an AVO, calling Madeleine an “evasive” and unreliable witness and her alleged treatment of her former 75-year-old father-in-law “bordering on aggressive”.
But that decision was overturned when Madeleine appealed to the NSW District Court and won a ruling by Judge Jonathan Priestley, who said the “evidence of the facts in support thereof is not strong enough and is not supported” by footage from five different CCTV cameras around Shannon. Bennett’s house.
Madeline (right) and Shannon split after 13 years together and six children in 2018, with West later saying the separation process had “become toxic love.”