Billionaire James Packer Weds Kylie Lim in Private Sardinia Ceremony

Moored off the rugged Emerald Coast of Sardinia, the 108-metre gigayacht IJE set the backdrop for one of Australia's most low-key high-society weddings. Australian billionaire James Packer has officially married Canadian-born former model Kylie Lim in an intimate Italian ceremony. A spokesman for the 58-year-old businessman confirmed the nuptials on August 6, 2026, marking Packer's third marriage.

Why This Is Trending

The private wedding triggered immediate attention across Australian media following confirmation from Packer's representative. After years out of the corporate spotlight, news of the gaming and investment mogul tying the knot on the north-east coast of Sardinia quickly made headlines, particularly given the couple's long, stop-start romantic history.

What Happened

Packer and Lim, 46, exchanged vows in front of a small group of close family and friends. The nuptials took place following a Mediterranean cruise that included attending the four-day wedding of Packer’s niece, Francesca Barham, in Mallorca, Spain, just a week prior. Following the Spanish celebrations, the couple sailed 600 kilometres east aboard Packer's $350 million superyacht IJE to their Italian destination.

What We Know So Far

The union marks the culmination of a relationship that first began in 2017 when the pair met through mutual friends in Aspen, Colorado. The couple had previously split in 2020, after which Packer dated American model Renee Blythewood. However, Packer and Lim reunited in late 2025 before formally announcing their engagement in March 2026.

Packer has frequently spoken about Lim's grounding presence in his life, particularly during his health challenges. In his biography The Price of Fortune, Packer credited Lim with aiding his recovery following his turbulent 2016 split from pop star Mariah Carey and his 2018 stay at the McLean Hospital in Boston for depression and bipolar disorder.

Kylie is a good person, a really good partner.

This is believed to be the first marriage for Lim, a New York socialite. For Packer, it is his third marriage and fifth engagement. He was previously married to swimsuit designer Jodhi Meares from 1999 to 2002, and to former model Erica Baxter from 2007 to 2013, with whom he shares three children: Indigo, 18, Jackson, 16, and Emmanuelle, 14.

Why It Matters

As the son of the late media tycoon Kerry Packer, James Packer remains one of Australia's most prominent financial figures, with a net worth estimated at over $5 billion. Since selling his major stake in Crown Resorts for more than $3 billion, Packer has shifted his capital toward tech and global investments, including a $141.9 million stake in AI chipmaker Nvidia. His personal updates continue to capture significant public interest across corporate and social circles in Australia.

What Happens Next

The newlyweds are expected to complete their summer retreat aboard the IJE along the Costa Smeralda before returning to their residences in North America. Having retreated from public corporate governance, Packer is expected to maintain a low profile while managing his private investment portfolio.