Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond’s fashion designer ex-wife Amber has changed her surname back to Keating, two years after their shock split.
The 54-year-old designer, best known for her label The Common Hours, quietly signalled a fresh chapter by updating her social media handle, reclaiming her former married name.
It was a shock move given how well-known the Symond name is, leading to suggestions it may have been a condition of their prenup agreement.
Amber, born McDonald, has returned to the surname of her previous husband, Patrick Keating, the father of her two children and son of former Prime Minister Paul Keating.
Since her split from John Symond after eight years of marriage in December 2023, Amber has thrown herself into her fashion label and the transformation of her lavish Paddington home.
In May 2024, it was reported that Amber’s ex-husband, John Symond, had moved to the south of France to nurse his broken heart after his divorce.
Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond’s fashion designer ex-wife Amber has changed her surname back to Keating, two years after their shock split. Pictured together in 2021
The Australian entrepreneur split from his ex in December 2023 after eight years of marriage and later decided to jet out of the country.
Listing his exclusive Sydney mansion for sale for a record-breaking $200million, John is said to be ‘devastated’ over the separation, reported The Sunday Telegraph.
While it’s unclear when his alleged move to the other side of the world will take place, his luxury property in Point Piper is expected to smash the $130million sale record held by IT billionaire Scott Farquhar and his Uig Lodge.
John put the Wingadal mansion up for sale after buying the four-level home in 1999 and spending eight years turning it into the spectacular house it is today.
The home sits on the western edge of Point Piper, on a 2,767 square metre block with 98 metre water frontage looking out over Sydney Harbour to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Ken Jacobs, of Forbes Global Properties, said it was ‘the most exciting listing’ he has worked on in his four-decade career.
John said at the time of the listing earlier this week that he is selling now because he plans to spend more time overseas.
‘Wingadal has been a special home for my family over the past two decades, and now I’m looking forward to spending more time travelling overseas,’ he said.
The 54-year-old designer, best known for her label The Common Hours, quietly signalled a fresh chapter by updating her social media handle, reclaiming her former married name
Since her split from John Symond after eight years of marriage in December 2023, Amber has thrown herself into her fashion label and the transformation of her Paddington home
He also spoke fondly of the many gala events held there over the years.
‘While being an exceptional family home, we have also enjoyed hosting many important events for charities and other worthwhile causes,’ he said.
John and Amber, who started dating in 2011 and tied the knot in 2016, were once said to have had a ‘strained relationship’, but are reportedly on better terms following their separation.
The Daily Telegraph reported that John’s daughter Deborah still has a good relationship with her stepmother Amber, with the pair said to be ‘the closest they [have] ever been’.
In a joint statement at the time, the former couple said: ‘We enter this new chapter of our lives with a deep, mutual respect and friendship for each other. We are united in our love and commitment to our family.’
