Australia’s original supermodel and two-time Gold Logie winner Maggie Tabberer has died at the age of 87.
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, 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 modeling career at the age of 16 and was picked up by Australian-German photographer Helmut Newton at 23.
Australia’s original supermode Maggie Tabberer died at the age of 87 on Friday
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.’
Journalist Andrew Hornery said much of Australia would be ‘bereft’ at the passing of the much-loved magazine editor and presenter.
‘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.’
Sydney restaurateur Rupert Noffs paid tribute to Tabberer as a ‘trailblazer’.
Her daughter Amanda Tabberer (right) confirmed the sad news on Friday
Tabberer started her modeling career at the tender age of 16 and was picked up by Australian-German photographer Helmut Newton at 23
‘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; s Wayside Chapel, and Noffs Foundation. Her kindness and unwavering generosity touched so many lives.
‘There will never be another Maggie T! VALE Maggie.’
