TV and fashion icon Maggie Tabberer AM has passed away aged 87.
Her daughter Amanda Tabberer took to Instagram on Friday to share the sad news along with a few family photos.
In the caption, she wrote: “This morning we lost our beautiful mother and Nanna. 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.”
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The post was met with many heartfelt messages from fans and supports, including media identities such as Nine’s Leila Mckinnon, Chyka Keebaugh from Real Housewives of Melbourne and celebrity interior designer Neale Whitaker.
Maggie Tabberer began her career as a model and was discovered by fashion photographer Helmut Newton in the early 60s. She later left modelling and wrote a column for The Daily Mirror newspaper in Sydney. Tabberer also launched her own fashion PR firm, Maggie Tabberer and Associates, in 1967.
Tabberer also made her mark in fashion by launching Maggie T, a plus-size clothing label in 1981.
Maggie Tabberer on the September 2023 cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly
In 1981, she was appointed as fashion editor for the Australian Women’s Weekly by Kerry Packer. She stayed with the magazine until 1996.
Tabberer ventured into TV as a panellist talk show Beauty and the Beast in 1964, as well as fronting her chat show, Maggie, which earned her two back-to-back Gold Logies in 1970 and 1971.
She also co-hosted The Home Show with her then-partner Richard Zachariah, which aired on the ABC in the 90s.
In 1998, Tabberer was among the Queen’s Birthday Honours and made a Member of the Order of Australia. She was recognised for service to the community, particularly through her support for charitable organisations and the advancement of the Australian fashion industry.
Maggie with her daughters Brooke and Amanda
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Top image: Maggie Tabberer on the September 2023 cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly