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How James and Erica Packer became the poster couple for remaining friends after a divorce

It's been a whirlwind.
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In a world where most celebrity divorces end in bitter custody battles, squabbling over assets and messy drama that plays out in the tabloids – James Packer and Erica Packer (nee Baxter) truly broke the mould.

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James, a billionaire media tycoon, and Erica, a stunning model/singer, were Sydney’s “it-couple” in the early noughties, and their lavish French wedding was the stuff of dreams.

But since their shock 2013 split, James 54, and Erica, 44, have become the “poster couple” for how to co-parent successfully.

Keep reading to learn more about James and Erica’s relationship history.

James and Erica got married in 2007.

(Image: Getty)
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Where it all began…

After four years of on-and-off dating, James tied the knot with part-time model and singer Erica Baxter June 20, 2007 in the stunning French Riviera.

The lavish wedding was held at the Antibes town hall, while the second ceremony took place at Hotel du Cap – Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes.

The pair then welcomed three children together, daughter Indigo, nearly 14, Jackson Lloyd, 12, and daughter Emmanuelle Sheelah, nine.

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The breakup

In September 2013, just months after moving into their $50 million mansion in Sydney’s Vaucluse, James and Erica announced their separation.

“We remain deeply close friends and incredibly proud parents and our children are our priority going forward,” the pair said in a statement at the time.

The exes have remained amicable since their split, and are often pictured holidaying together with their three children.

James and Erica pictured in 2010.

(Image: Getty)
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Where they stand now

On July 14, 2022 – nearly a decade after their split – James and Erica couldn’t have looked happier as they holidayed in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera – not far from where they tied the knot.

The former couple were photographed docking their yacht at the opulent beachfront restaurant Club 55.

The pair were seen laughing and smiling while James placed a gentle hand on Erica’s back and she wrapped her arm around the tycoon’s waist.

In June 2022, James said he was looking forward to returning to Sydney next March with his ex-wife and their three children.

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“I want to swim with my kids at Bondi when we’re all in Sydney together next year,” he told The Weekend Australian.

Erica and James (pictured here in 2008) have remained friends since their 2013 split.

(Image: Getty)

Who else has James dated?

Since his 2013 split from Erica, the billionaire business mogul has had a slew of high-profile relationships with predominantly models and singers. He didn’t earn himself the nickname “Playboy Packer” for nothing!

The 54-year-old has been romantically linked to the likes of Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr and model Jennifer Flavin.

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James and actress Kate Fischer, who now goes by the name Tziporah Atarah Malkah, dated for five years and got engaged before breaking up in 1998.

James was previously engaged to Mariah Carey.

(Image: Getty)

But James’ most notable relationship was with popstar Mariah Carey. The pair embarked on a whirlwind romance in 2015, before getting engaged in January 2016.

By October that year James and Mariah had called off their engagement. The pair reached a bitter multimillion-dollar settlement in 2017 after the singer filed a lawsuit citing an “inconvenience fee”.

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Before meeting Erica in the early-noughties, James was married to model and fashion designer Jodhi Meares.

The pair tied the knot in Sydney in October 1999, however they went their separate ways in 2002.

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