Francesca Packer-Barham is at the centre of fresh split rumours with entrepreneur boyfriend Robert Bates.
According to The Daily Telegraph, talk in Sydney’s eastern suburbs suggests the couple have quietly gone their separate ways after three years together.
The pair were last seen in public at Packer-Barham’s 30th birthday party in December 2024, where Bates arrived dressed as Matthew McConaughey’s character from Dallas Buyers Club.
Friends say the couple had been spending much of their time at Packer-Barham’s Palm Beach property, with Bates often spotted driving her bright pink G63 Mercedes.
One insider even suggested the pair may be in Ibiza attempting to salvage their romance.
The relationship has faced scrutiny since it began in 2022, partly due to the couple’s 15-year age gap.
Francesca Packer-Barham is at the centre of fresh split rumours with entrepreneur boyfriend Robert Bates
According to the Daily Telegraph, talk in Sydney’s eastern suburbs suggests the couple have quietly gone their separate ways after three years together
Bates, a divorced father, previously appeared on the Australian Financial Review’s Young Rich List with an estimated fortune of $145 million.
He was the CEO of failed wellness brands Aurum+ and Aquamamma, and is the founder of 7 Trinity Biotech.
Packer-Barham, granddaughter of the late media magnate Kerry Packer and daughter of Gretel Packer, has maintained a low profile in recent years but confirmed her romance with Bates in late 2022 after the pair were photographed kissing on a yacht in Sydney Harbour.
Neither Packer-Barham nor Bates has commented on the rumours.
The pair are said to have been introduced by PR maven and Sydney socialite Roxy Jacenko, who was Francesca’s publicist at the time.
She reportedly ‘fell head over heels’ for the divorced father and even ‘confided to friends her desire to start a family’ with him.
Robert is the CEO of failed wellness brands Aurum+ and Aquamamma and the founder of 7 Trinity Biotech.
In December, no expense was spared for Francesca’s birthday party as she rang in her 30th year.
Friends say the couple had been spending much of their time at Packer-Barham’s Palm Beach property, with Bates often spotted driving her bright pink G63 Mercedes
The billionaire heiress hosted a dress up shindig at upmarket eatery Mimi’s in Coogee with an A-list guest list.
Among the celebrities joining the event was influencer Indy Clinton, who came dressed as Pamela Anderson in her Baywatch days, donning a blonde wig and red swimsuit.
Former host of The Project Lisa Wilkinson was also among the glitterati but skipped the fancy dress memo and opted for a chic, loose black suit.
Norwegian singer Adelén was in tow, opting to dress up as Julia Roberts in the classic romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
Francesca, who was dressed in a Wednesday Addams costume, held court with her boyfriend Robert.
Also coming along to celebrate the occasion was her grandmother, Roslyn, and her mother, Gretel.
Bella Wolfgang Clinton likewise in attendance, shared glimpses inside the party which had oysters and pasta on offer.
Social media posts shared by attendees showed the partygoers enjoying caviar and champagne and partying until the wee hours.
The socialites and celebrities mingled through the evening, taking fun bathroom selfies and dancing wildly as the night wore on.
