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Annette Sharp: Ex-model Michelle Leslie a first-time mum at 42

She was once hot and heavy with silverchair singer Daniel Johns and is close to larrikin ad man John Singleton, but who is the father of Michelle Leslie’s baby, asks Annette Sharp.

Some of John Singleton's loves over the years: (L to R) Maggi Eckardt, Liz Hayes, Belinda Green and Venessa Merrin.
Some of John Singleton's loves over the years: (L to R) Maggi Eckardt, Liz Hayes, Belinda Green and Venessa Merrin.

Reclusive model-turned-interior designer Michelle Leslie has become a first-time mother at 42.

The ex-partner of Daniel Johns and private decorator of ad legend John Singleton’s properties welcomed a daughter earlier this year. Sources say the baby was born in January.

A notoriously private Leslie, who could not be contacted this week, remains secretive about the baby’s father and has recently set down roots back on the NSW Central Coast, apparently on her own.

Prior to her relocation, Leslie, who grew up in Adelaide, had been living at “Lavender House”, one of the residences on Singleton’s expansive Mt White horse stud Strawberry Hills.

Singleton listed the property for sale in July, with $100m expectations, prompting a search for new quarters.

Michelle Leslie has become a first-time mother at 42.
Michelle Leslie has become a first-time mother at 42.
John Singleton hired Leslie to decorate his properties.
John Singleton hired Leslie to decorate his properties.

Leslie retreated to Singleton’s Mt White property following the 2019 breakdown of her three-year relationship with muso Johns.

Singleton supported her through the break-up.

Former model Leslie is an interior designer.
Former model Leslie is an interior designer.

Leslie and Singleton became friends over a decade ago when the multi-millionaire contracted the controversial retired model and dog clothing designer to redecorate his commercial properties in Paddington and Killcare — along with his home at Mt White and nearby award-winning restaurant Saddles – in his signature “affluent white game hunter” style.

It’s believed the retired advertising and media boss was introduced to Leslie (who was arrested in Bali in 2005 and jailed after being caught with two ecstasy tabs) by her former husband, music events promoter Adam Zammit, to whom she was married from 2012 to 2014.

The interior designer more recently spent much of 2020 and 2021 in Hawaii, renovating a home Singleton bought for $9.3m on Hawaii’s Oahu island three years ago before the octogenarian decided the island paradise (named “Shells”, though apparently not because it’s Leslie’s nickname but because the rough and tumble Singo reckons he loves seashells …) held little appeal and sold it in February this year for $12.4m.

Leslie has confided to friends that while she was living in Hawaii she began a romance with an unnamed Hawaiian national.

It’s not known whether the couple’s relationship continued after she returned home to Australia.

There is also talk she has recently started a romance with a Melbourne-based photographer who divides his time between the southern capital and the Central Coast.

As intrigue grows over her daughter’s parentage, Leslie could not be reached yesterday to shed light on the matter.

Coincidentally, Singleton also this year relocated from Mt White to the Central Coast.

This column’s spies spotted him keeping company with a mystery woman, not Leslie, at a luxury beachfront rental at Toowoon Bay in late July.

We hear he’s taken a long lease after telling media he is looking to settle permanently on beachfront acreage in the region.

The six-times-married Singleton, who was in the US a week ago as his prized thoroughbreds went under the hammer at home for $15m, has previously denied any romantic interest in the statuesque Leslie: “I love Michelle. I love our relationship. It’s fun. We have some of the best times ever, but serious it is not,” he told this column in 2020.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/annette-sharp-exmodel-michelle-leslie-a-firsttime-mum-at-42/news-story/b6141b415b8c97548e701cf3c9de2828