Maggie Tabberer died at the age of 87 on Friday.
And Australia’s original supermodel and two-time Gold Logie winner was honoured by scores of celebrities after the sad news was shared by her family.
Deborah Hutton, who was Tabberer’s longtime colleague and understudy at Women’s Weekly, lead the charge on Friday evening.
‘She’s always been such a force and, you know, she’s always held such enormous presence, I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard it today,’ she told A Current Affair.
‘She was formidable – if you missed a line or missed a step you’d certainly know about it … [But] she was very supportive of all women.
‘She was very supportive of women who just wanted to have a go at something. There will never be another one like her.’
Maggie Tabberer (pictured) died at the age of 87 on Friday.
She wrote additionally on social media: ‘No words right now. Just tears. My heart goes out to the girls. May you rest in peace, beautiful Maggie’.
Journalist Melissa Hoyer shared her own tribute to Twitter, writing, ‘The loss of a pure class act.
‘An extraordinary woman, my icon, my influence, a person with an innate sense of style (and humour) that money can’t buy.
‘Terrible to lose a legend and friend that is Maggie Tabberer. All love to daughters Amanda, Brooke and MT’s grandson Marco. RIP’.
Television host Angela Bishop posted: ‘Sending much love Amanda and Brooke. Your Mum was an extraordinary woman and will be greatly missed.’
‘Very sad news. What an icon Maggie was. Sending love to you and your family’ TV star Neale Whitaker wrote.
Andrew Hornery wrote: ‘Legend. Icon. Champion. There are not enough descriptors to truly encapsulate what she represented over a seven decade career’.
Fellow journalist Leila McKinnon chimed in: ‘Beautiful Maggie, what a wonderful woman, vale to such a generous spirit, we loved her’.
Deborah Hutton (right), who was Tabberer’s longtime colleague and understudy at Women’s Weekly, lead the charge on Friday evening
Journalist Melissa Hoyer shared her own tribute to Twitter, writing, ‘The loss of a pure class act’
The style queen, who was the fashion editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly for 15 years and an icon of the TV, magazine and modelling worlds.
She had been unwell in recent months.
Her daughter Amanda Tabberer confirmed the sad news on Friday.
‘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,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Tabberer married twice and is survived by two daughters, Brooke and Amanda.
Brooke shared a photo of her mother’s final Woman’s Weekly cover last December, which celebrated the publication’s 90th birthday.
‘My darling mummy, cover girl at 86!! Happy Birthday,’ she wrote.
Tabberer started her modelling career at the age of 16 and was picked up by Australian-German photographer Helmut Newton at 23.
The style queen, who was the fashion editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly for 15 years and an icon of the TV, magazine and modelling worlds
Tabberer posed for what would be her last magazine cover for the Women’s Weekly at the age of 86 last December. She was the fashion editor for the Weekly for 15 years
She told the Women’s Weekly they shared a ‘special connection’.
‘When I looked at the shots, I thought ‘My God, is it me?’ she said.
‘Very quickly I knew that he was very gifted and he took wonderful photographs of me. We had an incredibly special connection which I think came out in the pictures.’
Tabberer became Australia’s Model of the Year in 1960, before beginning a fashion column for the Daily Mirror three years later.
A year later she moved into television, beginning as a panellist on the Beauty and the Beast in 1964 before starting her own daily talk show, Maggie.
In her TV career, Tabberer won two Gold Logies in 1970 and 1971, voted Most Popular Female Personality.
Later she co-hosted The Home Show with her partner at the time Richard Zachariah in the 90s.
Journalist Andrew Hornery said much of Australia would be ‘bereft’ at the passing of the much-loved magazine editor and presenter.
Her daughter Amanda Tabberer (right) confirmed the sad news on Friday
‘Legend. Icon. Champion. There are not enough descriptors to truly encapsulate what she represented over a seven decade career,’ he wrote.
‘We crossed paths many times and it was always a pleasure. She enjoyed a little tittle tattle and had a wonderful sense of humour – self deprecating but always positive. My sincerest condolences to and their extended family. What a life. Vale lovely lady.’
Tabberer’s philanthropy and public contributions through her own public relations company and clothing lines earned her an Order of Australia medal for the advancement of Australian fashion in 1998.
Sydney restaurateur Rupert Noffs paid tribute to Tabberer as a ‘trailblazer’.
‘Maggie defined Australian style with her elegance, sophistication, and grace, inspiring countless others along the way,’ he said.
‘She was a huge supporter of the work of my grandpa Ted; Wayside Chapel, and Noffs Foundation. Her kindness and unwavering generosity touched so many lives.
‘There will never be another Maggie T! VALE Maggie.’
Tabberer goddaughter and manager Lauren Miller said on social media: ‘Vale Maggie Tabberer. Sharing this news with family, friends and all those that love and admire Maggie.
‘Our families [are] forever bonded by the incredible love and loyalty between Tabberers and Millers.
‘Harry and Maggie had one of the most wonderful and enduring business partnerships and friendships. Also my favourite and only god mother. One in a squillion.’
